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Ryan Ross
miramichi leader

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ROGERSVILLE - A new ambulance base in Rogersville will give paramedics better working conditions, say the men and women who use it.

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ryan ross/miramichi leader

Paramedics working in Rogersville are universally pleased with the new ambulance base.

Although paramedics have been using the Ambulance New Brunswick base since the summer, about 20 people gathered Wednesday for the official opening and ribbon cutting.

Jacques Martin was one of the paramedics at the opening and said the paramedics were happy with the new building because it was a lot better than the old one.

"When they built this they made sure comfort was one of the specs."

Rogersville's Ambulance New Brunswick paramedics used to share a building with other municipal services and had a single room to themselves.

Now they have a building that can resistant hurricane force winds and seismic loads, with in-floor heating and an exhaust system in the ambulance bay to remove exhaust fumes.

A quick tour of the building leads through the ambulance bay into a small sitting area, a kitchen, office space and a bathroom complete with stand up shower.

In Rogersville the paramedics work 24 hour shifts so there are also two bedrooms with a single bed in each for them to use during their long shifts.

Martin has worked as a paramedic in Rogersville for nine years and said they have wanted a new building for a long time.

"Finally it's here and we're very pleased with it."

Ambulance New Brunswick president Alan Stephen was also on hand for the opening and said the provincial ambulance service wants to make sure the facilities stay in local communities.

"Our intent is to build them back into communities because that community based paramedicine is so important."

New Ambulance New Brunswick buildings will all have a similar look as part of the organizations branding attempts, which Stephen said goes beyond just looks.

"It's the culture of the organization and this will help us build that culture."

Paramedic Denis Doiron liked the new building more than the old one where they had no windows and bunk beds in the room they used to sleep during their 24 hour shifts.

"Work environment is a lot better than it was before," he said.

It was a sentiment his wife Nicole, who is also a paramedic, echoed when she talked about the old sleeping arrangements.

"If you slept with somebody who was snoring you didn't sleep at night."

For Martin, he said it's nice to have some privacy in the new building where they can rest, relax, study and do paperwork between calls.

"You get the feeling of being home."

Rogersville Mayor Bertrand LeBlanc said the ambulance service outgrew the old building and added it's a service the village can't do without.

"We have a good crew and we'd like to keep them here."