Ambulance Victoria

Monica Arundel, 71, is alive today thanks to some quick-thinking bystanders, a GoodSAM responder and a publicly accessible AED. Monica was enjoying a lunch with her Probus Club in Myrtleford in November 2022 when she suddenly went into cardiac arrest. Luckily, Kelly Barton, an infectious control nurse at the local hospital, was nearby and rushed over to start CPR while Triple Zero (000) was called. Another bystander rushed down the street to collect the publicly accessible AED from Coles which delivered one shock to Monica before paramedics arrived. But more help was on the way with local GoodSAM responder and local Ambulance Community Officer, Chris Walkear jumping into action as soon as he received the alert on his phone. GoodSAM is a life-saving app that connects patients in cardiac arrest with a nearby volunteer who are willing to start hands-only CPR while an ambulance is on the way. AV Paramedic Natasha Orfanidis was one of the paramedics on scene and said the actions of the bystanders and GoodSAM responder are the reason Monica is alive today. “Monica’s story is an example of how life-saving the GoodSAM program can be. We know that bystander intervention has the greatest impact on improving someone’s chance of surviving a cardiac arrest and the fact Monica is here today proves this." This week, Monica reunited with those who helped save her life. You could save a life too. It's simple: 👉 Learn CPR and how to use an AED 👉 Sign up to be a GoodSAM responder https://lnkd.in/g6SxmWE 👉 Register an AED and find where the devices are registered in your area https://lnkd.in/g9FZuA9c. Read more: https://bit.ly/3zRT6Ys 📷 Monica Arundel (second from left) reunites with ACO and GoodSAM responder Chris Walkear, bystander and local Infection Prevention and Control Officer Kelly Barton, and Paramedic Natasha Orfanidis.

Congratulations to Andrea Wyatt ASM, one of Victoria’s very first female paramedics, who this week retired after an incredible 37 years on the job! Before Andrea started at ‘Ambulance Service – Melbourne’ as it was known then, only men were allowed to be ambulance officers. The law changed in 1987 and our first two female ambulance officers, Andrea Wyatt and Patricia Richards, were employed - leading the way for so many women who followed in their footsteps. Andrea was a trailblazer for women in paramedicine, becoming the first female Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic in 1992 and across her career also worked as a MICA Team Manager, MICA Paramedic Educator and the first female Clinical Support Officer (CSO). Andrea’s colleagues describe her as an incredibly humble, modest and lovely person, who has impacted the profession like no one else. She set the standard for greatness. We wish Andrea all the best for her retirement and congratulate her on all she has achieved in her remarkable career! 👏 👏 More: https://bit.ly/3WebRwD

Elvis impersonator, Mark Brown donned his sparkly jumpsuit yesterday to perform a song he co-wrote with his friend of 50 years, Colin Dunn, who paramedics saved in May. Mark was visiting Colin at his home in south-east Melbourne when Colin, a diabetic, began feeling unwell and soon after, collapsed. Mark called emergency services and with help from Triple Zero Victoria call-taker, Diana Ng Tabaquero, took care of Colin before Graduate Ambulance Paramedic (GAP) Leeza Parthenios and Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedic James Graham soon arrived. Colin was transported to Dandenong Hospital where he was able to be discharged later that night and today, along with Mark, he reunited with Leeza, James and Diana. Mark said he was incredibly thankful to the call taker and paramedics for their care and was inspired to put his appreciation into song. “After the phenomenal treatment and support Colin received from Leeza and James, and that I received from the call taker, we decided to design a song to bring to everyone's attention how special they are. Our overall message to anyone in the care industry at any level is that you guys are the very best expression of true excellence. Our world will always be a better place when everyone decides to care for each other.” Thank you, thank you very much Mark and Colin! 🤩 Read more and listen to their song here 👉 https://bit.ly/3LOkqJT

We are delighted to announce that Associate Professor Ben Meadley ASM has been appointed to the role of Director Paramedicine at Ambulance Victoria. A MICA Flight Paramedic, Ben has a long and distinguished career with AV, spanning more than 26 years as a paramedic, educator, researcher, improvement specialist and people leader. Ben also contributes to the academic field through his work as an Adjunct Associate Professor with Monash University. Ben has extensive experience in clinical practice and system improvement and will provide leadership across the organisation as we continue to deliver the highest quality clinical care to the Victorian community. “I’m passionate about working with all areas of Ambulance Victoria to enhance the capabilities of paramedics to revolutionise the delivery of contemporary health care to our community.” Congratulations Ben! 👏 👏 Read more: https://bit.ly/3zLvnZJ

Our paramedics and first responders work hard to provide the best possible care to everyone yet, disappointingly, they continue to experience instances of violence and abuse. Occupational violence and aggressive behaviour towards paramedics and first responders can have lasting impacts on their physical and mental wellbeing. Violence against paramedics and first responders is never OK. Join us in stamping out this behaviour. 🔴 Be respectful to emergency services and everyone involved in an incident and over the phone. 🔴 Advise the Triple Zero (000) call taker if anyone on scene appears aggressive. 🔴 Put your safety first - if there is violence or aggression present at a scene, stay well back and don’t do anything to escalate the situation. 🔴 If it is safe to do so, ask agitated family or friends to clear the area. 🔴 Offer assistance by letting paramedics and first responders know that you are available to help. Injuring an emergency worker in Victoria is a Category 1 offence and carries a mandatory minimum six-month jail sentence. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3WoLfKt

A picture is worth a thousand words. 💙 Maddy Anderson was on her fourth shift as an Ambulance Community Officer when this picture was snapped - a special moment with her patient that came by surprise. “When we arrived at the scene, I introduced myself but didn’t have much interaction with the child. But then we were heading out to the ambulance and he walked past me and put his hand out and went, ‘come on Maddy, so we walked out holding hands and I helped him into the ambulance. It blew me away because it was so unexpected, yet just a natural instinct, and was also special because I’m still new and learning the ropes. It was really beautiful because from what I’ve seen, the majority of the job is about that personal connection with your patients. I want to be that person that makes a difference and brightens someone's day – that’s why I do this job and am studying to be a paramedic.” Read more: https://bit.ly/468PAVp

Our Medical Director David Anderson, and Specialist Clinical Guidelines James Oswald are back with another series of their podcast, Clinical Conversations. Listen now to the first two episodes on Spotify or Apple.

We had a fantastic day at the NAIDOC March today, coming together with the community to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. We met many people at our stall who were keen to learn CPR and how to use an AED and had lots of kids exploring the ambulance asking the paramedics questions. After the pre-march festivities our crews walked together to represent Ambulance Victoria’s support. #NAIDOCWeek2024

This NAIDOC Week, proud Gubbi Gubbi woman and Paramedic Steph O’Connor has shared her paramedicine journey with us. Steph is passionate about helping her community, especially closing the healthcare gap that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders experience. Since the age of eight, Steph wanted to become a paramedic and overcame many barriers to achieve her dream. Growing up in foster care, she later pursued her healthcare passion by studying paramedicine while juggling the demands of raising her four children. “It wasn’t an easy path to becoming a paramedic, but I wanted to do it not just for myself but also for my community. There have been a few times when I’ve gone to a case and the person I’m treating is Mob, and I can see them open up and trust me when I share that I’m Mob as well. It’s great to see them become more receptive to the care I'm providing when I establish a connection with them on the job.” Steph is also a member of Ambulance Victoria’s Reconciliation Working Group, supporting Ambulance Victoria’s commitment to building strong, sustainable and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples. Read more about Steph’s story here: https://bit.ly/4cUKvCy #NAIDOCWeek2024

Greg and his partner Faye always loved to holiday at the Lakes & Craters Holiday Park in Camperdown. After losing Faye to cancer, Greg decided he wanted to do something for the Camperdown community that had given him and Faye so many wonderful memories. He decided to work with local Ambulance Victoria paramedics to donate an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), with the life-saving device now installed at the holiday park for anyone who needs it. AEDs are used to shock a person’s heart back into rhythm following a cardiac arrest and play a vital role in a person’s survival. Ambulance Victoria Team Manager Andrew Berry said Greg’s generosity would potentially save lives. “Greg’s generous donation will make a real difference and is a wonderful way to pay tribute to his beloved partner Faye who loved this spot.” The AED is located inside the check-in lodge (accessible 24 hours a day) and has been registered with Ambulance Victoria, allowing Triple Zero (000) call-takers to inform callers of its location during a medical emergency. Thank you, Greg, for your wonderful gift! 💗 https://bit.ly/3zAFrVr