As far as the Victorian Liberal opposition and ambulance promises go, this one is interesting.

In a media release dated 20 July 2010, the State opposition has stated that they will increase eastern metro (peripheral) ambulance cover by making the Belgrave, Emerald, and Yarra Junction branches all 24 hr branches.

Is this a good thing?

Could this funding and person power be better spent elsewhere?

Despite figures showing extended average wait times I would like to see the number of cases each of these crews attended – especially Belgrave.

I suspect Belgrave services more than just their  peripheral area and that the money could be spent on finding  Mooroolbark their own branch in a strategic position as well as finding Knox and Vermont South branches a less decrepit home.

Let us know what you think about the Liberal party promises and your own solutions as well as any other thoughts – what about the west?

Last Tuesday at a suburban petrol station a woman burned inside a car. Withstab wounds and near 100% burns she spoke to paramedics on scene.

She died later that night in hospital.

I spoke to paramedics who had heard the gruesome details first-hand from those on scene. Of how they felt that this was the worst scene a paramedic could attend. And of some paramedic’s relief that it hadn’t been them on scene.

I read in the local paper, the Knox Leader (June 8, 2010 – words by – Adrian Bernecich), about a hero grappling with the horror of the day. Dean Filmer showed all that is good about humanity by trying to help despite the carnage and danger. He’s also going to seek counselling after all that he’d witnessed.

I just hope the paramedic’s who attended this patient seek counselling themselves. No training or life experience could prepare a paramedic for what happened that day. Those that transported the woman to hospital would have had her cries and pleas in their ears for the long journey to one of the city trauma centres. They would have fought to keep her comfortable despite her skin peeling away at the slightest touch.

These people, the paramedics, will grapple with this horror for a long time to come and the community will probably never understand this battle.

To papers, like the Knox Leader, don’t forget that paramedics are people too. Nasty things take their toll.

I think they deserved a foot-note after this job.

Channel Seven get sensible, you not so sensible people. Censoring a lesbian kiss in this day and age. Really? Wha?

Channel Ten has the hunky man vet bedding hairless kangaroos (in a caring vet’ish not fetish way – to be honest it was quite moving) and you’re concerned about a conservative backlash against home and away due to a little lipstick smudging?

Methinks it may be time for the conservatives and gutless televisual programmers to retire to their respective closets and have a lie down. Try a Bex.

Anyway Mr 7even you’ll have a lot of folks tuning in to see if it is broadcast or castrated. Perhaps the Gruen Transfer would like to have a little discussion over this one. Wil are you listening?

Ross Gittins. Obviously wants to play with the big boys. Sick of being pigeon-holed into the business section, he’s now decided to do what he thinks the big boys do. Have an opinion about life in an inappropriate way.

In his article today titled, “The punters love a good disaster“, he’s launched into a tirade against the people who have opened their hearts up to those affected by Melbourne’s bush fires.

Apparently, well according to him, he has nothing against Victorians. What? Is this some sort of manly state of origin/egalitarian type comment?

He also has nothing against bush fires. Well the rest of us do. They kill people and animals, and destroy homes.

He’s sick of the “emotional extravaganza” surrounding one of Australia’s darkest peacetime weeks.

Sure, I agree the media coverage has been slapped on thickly, but as part of the national grieving process we need to feel that we’re still connected. We need to see the recovery. We need to see that the little we’ve given may just help in some little way.

Oh, sorry Ross Gittins I’ve obviously neglected to mention, in that business sense, that our donations would be tax deductible. I’m sure Ross Gittins that I should also mention that you can even earn frequent flyer points if you donate by credit card. Because that’s what’s important to you. Is it?

Okay, Grinch Gittins. You’ve had your say. People like me will trash you. You’ll gain notoriety in an Andrew Bolt climate change denying kind of way. You’ll benefit from the suffering of others in the same way that, according to you, the major media outlets have cashed in. The circle is complete.

Ross Gittins. Have a heart. Be positive. Lord knows that’s what we need in this day and age.

As a paramedic you see the sad side of life on a regular basis. It’s even harder to see a young person pass away from something as stupid as a drug overdose.

My heart goes out to the family of Gemma Thoms who died after overdosing on ecstasy pills at this years Big Day Out.

I then saw on the news that a knucklehead MP has come out and said that the sniffer dogs at the BDO would only “alienate and intimidate” the patrons. She also said that this was “life threatening behaviour” as the drug user may do something stupid like take all of their drugs to avoid arrest.

Anyone who’s been to the BDO and other such events knows that the dogs are a possibility. They know that they’re going to be running the gauntlet.

Anyway, it’s only my opinion but like the old folks say, “you play with fire”.

I reckon that if you’re a security guard at a bank, this MP may have your job. What if one of those poor bank robbers get scared when they see you and shoot themselves. It’s a long bow, I know. But hey. You chart your own course. The kids have to grow up some time.

It’s just a shame Gemma and her family had to suffer. MPs just should not use tragedy like this to say “I told you so”.