The Australian Paramedics Association (NSW) says critical vulnerabilities in Sydney's Control Centre could cripple ambulance response capacity, with only half of willing workers having had a vaccine jab and no plan sufficient to ensure continued operation should COVID-19 enter the workplace.
Control workers are crucial for ambulance response capacity, with workers at a single site managing Triple Zero calls and ambulance dispatch for all of Greater Sydney.
"Control workers are without a doubt some of the state's most essential employees", said APA (NSW) President Chris Kastelan.
"These workers bridge the gap between a member of the public dialling Triple Zero and a Paramedic arriving to provide assistance.
"The Government has refused to put Control staff in the 1A vaccine category, despite consistent warnings of the dire consequences should Control rooms be affected.
"Some of our most critical workers have been hung out to dry. This is no way to manage a crisis."
The union has repeatedly petitioned for Control workers to be prioritised in the 1A phase of the rollout, warning that a single COVID case at the facility could wipe out crucial ambulance services.
Control staff have instead been classified 1B, and have received minimal support to get their vaccinations.
Control Centre Officers work 12 hour shifts in close proximity to colleagues, and the role requires them to talk constantly throughout their shifts.
"We are alarmed and disappointed that not only have NSW Health failed to offer these workers vaccination—they have also failed to develop a genuine contingency plan for if staff test positive or are declared close contacts", said Mr Kastelan.
"This is a critical workforce rendered vulnerable by their lack of access to vaccine jabs. And Health are compounding this vulnerability by failing to provide parking on site: leaving Control workers to cop exorbitant parking fees or take on additional exposure risks commuting via public transport.
"This lack of foresight shows the Government's deep disregard for these essential workers.
"We urgently need all essential staff to be offered vaccine options during paid work hours. Workers also need safe and affordable travel to and from the workplace, including free parking on site.
"The clock is ticking for this Government to resolve this vulnerability.
"If we are to avoid this kind of failure in the future, NSW Health need to listen to the workers at the coalface of our health systems, and prioritise their safety."
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