MEDIA ALERT MEDIA ALERT MEDIA ALERT
DPR 40/97 Thursday, February 20, 1997
LOCALLY PRODUCED MOBILE INTENSIVE-CARE RESCUE FACILITY LEADS THE WORLD
The most advanced Mobile Intensive-care Rescue Facility (MIRF) available in the world will tomorrow be handed over to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by local Toowoomba manufacturer, Buchanan Advanced Composites.
The MIRF is the most advanced mobile life-support system on both the
civilian and military markets and is an example of the ADF's commitment
to improving health services through using the latest technology. It was
designed by Professor Grant-Thomson, an Army Reservist, and jointly developed
by the Biomedical Unit within the Engineering Faculty of the University
of Southern Queensland, the Army and Buchanan Advanced Composites.
The MIRF is a self contained portable unit comprising a range of intensive-care
medical equipment in a composite fibre capsule with its own power source
and oxygen supply. A stretcher is secured on top of the unit which is transported
on a trolley, or can be carried.
The MIRF is designed for use in aeromedical evacuations and the Commander
of Aviation Support Group, Oakey, will receive the MIRF on behalf of the
Australian Defence Force.
News Editors/Directors note: Media are invited to attend the hand over
which will occur at 3.00 pm at Buchanan Advanced Composites, 9 Production
Court, Toowoomba (adjacent to the airport). A tour of the production facility
will be followed by a demonstration of the use of the MIRF by medical personnel
in an aeromedical evacuation using a Black Hawk helicopter. The manufacturer,
Mr Norm Watt and Squadron Leader Howell, who has used the MIRF, will be
available for interview.
Dept of Defence Beryl Janz (018) 632 657 (mob)
Buchanan Advanced Composites Norm Watt (076) 331 856 (b/h)