Based out of Beaufort, Mr Duggan has been named as one of six new Paramedic Community Support Coordinators, professional paramedic who are providing training to first responders, deliver community education programs and build partnerships with other health care and emergency providers.

As well as his 17 years as a paramedic, Mr Duggan has also spent 12 years as a MICA paramedic.

He said his new role would see him work with communities across the Central Grampians including Skipton, Lismore, Lake Bolac and his home town of Beaufort.

“Growing up in a small rural community, and having involvement in community groups, I have an understanding on what makes communities tick,” Mr Duggan said.

“I want to make a difference to communities and support health care systems that are already present.

“I’m looking forward to helping build healthcare relationships and resilience by offering public education on varying fronts but, most importantly, promoting the `chain of survival’ in cardiac arrest.

“I also want to support ambulance first responder teams that exist in these communities, to ensure rostering and recruitment strategies are in place to ensure viability into the future.”

Ambulance Victoria executive director emergency operations Mick Stephenson said delivering ambulance services in remote areas required a flexible and community-centred approach.

“Ambulance Victoria is committed to giving our patients the best care, every time. To be effective in rural and remote communities, health and emergency services must collaborate with community partners to prevent health problems from becoming life-threatening emergencies,” he said.

“We are continuing to engage with communities to better understand their needs and how the paramedic skill set can support existing health services to improve patient outcomes.”

Have you signed up to The Courier's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.