commenced with 205 treated during the last year from July 2014. ... clinical support mechanisms from the regional cardia
61
I S S UE SI X TY
SEPTEMBER 201 5 N E W H E A LT H Y W O R K P LA C E COL UMN I F A P E R S O N I S N O T O K , WHAT NE XT? CASE STUDY OF VI S I O N A RY P R O P O RT I O N S A C C O LA D E S FLO W FO R PARA ME DI CS
SIRENS 1
STEMI on the frontline: NSW Ambulance delivers faster cardiac care Paramedics continue to influence positive patient outcomes by providing world standard acute cardiac reperfusion. The State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy now means from the moment someone dials Triple Zero (000) for a suspected heart attack, this program switches into action.
Reducing the time from symptom onset to reestablishing coronary artery blood flow is key to minimising death and disability in ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). NSW Ambulance working with NSW Health Local Health Districts (LHDs) and the Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) designed and implemented an evidenced based, patient centred system of care enabling paramedics to deliver cardiac reperfusion. From the time our paramedics arrive, the patient is the focus of evidence-based high quality treatment. Communication - including ECG telemetry - supports the patient and health system activation. Hospital specialists are alerted to set-up quality interventions before the patient even reaches the hospital. Paramedics positively influence patient outcomes. The Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, officially launched this incredible NSW Ambulance-led statewide service in Bathurst on 17 August.
All in a heartbeat: • 470 patients have been treated by paramedics with Pre-Hospital Thrombolysis (PHT) since the program commenced with 205 treated during the last year from July 2014. • 1892 patients have been transmitted for STEMI using Pre-Hospital Assessment for Primary Angioplasty (PAPA) from July 2014. • Available in every community in NSW, every emergency ambulance is equipped with 12-lead ECG and can be used by all qualified paramedics to deliver cardiac reperfusion.
Case study: rural STEMI
This was a stand-out case because the paramedics and nurses in a small community brought their different skills together to manage a life-threatening situation, while making use of the clinical support mechanisms from the regional cardiac centre. The State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy relies on collaboration. It has provided paramedics with the equipment to take an ECG and forward it for immediate validation. It has enabled paramedics to treat heart attack patients anywhere and to work as a team to transport them urgently to the best place for ongoing care, irrespective of where they’re located.
Bryce Farlow, a farmer at Peak Hill in rural NSW, developed severe chest pains in April. He had previously had a heart attack back in 2005. Paramedics Michael Howard and Renee Michael acquired a 12-lead ECG which showed some changes but not an acute coronary artery occlusion. They followed their protocol and treated him before transporting him to Peak Hill Hospital for further assessment. At the hospital the ECG worsened and he was transferred to Orange Hospital. It was then the 12 lead ECG indicated a heart attack (STEMI) and this was transmitted to the cardiologist at Orange. A positive STEMI was confirmed, enabling the paramedics to complete the checklist before giving clot busting thrombolytic medication (PHT).
Minister for Health Jillian Skinner at the official launch of the State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy in Orange. 2 NSW AMBULANCE
The patient was transported to Orange Hospital where he was scheduled for an angioplasty. He was discharged after only a short stay in coronary care.
Peak Hill farmer Bryce Farlow is pictured with Cardiac Manager Paul Stewart and Orange Station Officer Melissa Parker. Photo courtesy Central Western Daily. SIRE NS 3
Finding their Wings: Medical Team Training Course 2015
This clip was filmed during a simulation exercise at Mascot. Retrieval Registrar Ian Scott and Flight Nurse Juanita Ameghino are working to stabilise trainer Clare Richmond during a simulated in-flight emergency.
flight nurse has the right side. They’re working to keep the vehicle heading in one straight line but if one person pulls too hard, it will veer off the road,” said Cameron Edgar, Zone Manager, Helicopter Retrieval Service. It’s a training scenario in this instance but often a real situation faced by our qualified aeromedical doctors, paramedics and flight nurses. Last month, nearly two dozen doctors and paramedics completed the intensive Medical Team Training Course. Our doctors, who after completing this course are now officially Retrieval Registrars, were taught skills which allow them to manage patients on moving aircraft and in the aeromedical environment. The helicopter paramedics, among our newest aeromedical recruits, advanced
their knowledge of pharmacology and clinical procedures needed to support doctors in flight and on aeromedical missions. “In practice on aeromedical missions the doctor is the senior clinician and is responsible for determining the appropriate patient treatment plan. Once the general clinical treatment plan or direction is decided upon, it’s up to both the doctor and paramedic or flight nurse to work together to keep the patient steadily on this path, regardless of the environmental conditions,” Superintendent Edgar said.
“This simulation-based training uses human actors and also focuses on nontechnical factors like communication, leadership, situational awareness and error tracking,” he said. “This training really is world class.”
Dr Karel Habig, Staff Specialist in Retrieval Medicine, said history has proven that training our aeromedical doctors, paramedics and flight nurses together ensures they operate in real life patient responses as one.
After three intensive weeks of training to respond to our hardest to reach patients, 22 doctors and paramedics have now been granted their aeromedical wings.
Working together on an aircraft is like a steering wheel - the doctor is holding on to left side and the paramedic or flight nurse has the right side. They’re working to keep the vehicle heading in one straight line but if one person pulls too hard, it will veer off the road Cameron Edgar, Zone Manager, Helicopter Retrieval Service 4 NSW AMBULANCE
Your patient is fitting, bleeding heavily, barely breathing, is in and out of consciousness, and, you’re treating them 30,000 ft above the ground in a moving plane. The key to an improved patient outcome? A unified response between the retrieval doctor and paramedic or flight nurse. “Working together on an aircraft is like a steering wheel - the doctor is holding on to left side and the paramedic or SIRE NS 5
in my view This glorious picture was sent in by paramedic intern Howard Poon and taken at the exact geographical centre of NSW, approximately 40km west of Tottenham.
6 NSW AMBULANCE
SIRE NS 7
Media update:
in the media
NSW Ambulance was featured heavily in the media during the month of August. Like other months, much of this coverage included positive media coverage such as our Star Awards, safety messaging for the 2015 City2Surf and horse riding, retirement articles, continuing coverage of our winter campaign and general praise for paramedics. However, we did also bear the brunt of much public scrutiny during the busy peak of winter demand. Below is a selection of the various positive media stories which featured NSW Ambulance.
8 NSW AMBULANCE
SOCIAL MEDIA Popular Posts August was another very busy month on social media. We continued with our winter campaign Is Your Urgency An Emergency? with great response. The continuation of our memes proved very popular, with many appearing in various newspapers.
Facebook: 1468 new followers
Twitter: 416 new followers
TO DATE: Winter Campaign Posts
18
#IsYourUrgencyAnEmergency?
Instagram: 360 new followers
seen by
1,379,200
people on Facebook alone!
#MakeTheRightCall
#RightCallRightCare
Be sure you follow NSW Ambulance on: Photos, information and story ideas can be texted to 0427 488 239 or emailed to
[email protected]. The media office is contactable between 7am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday. There is also a media officer on call 24/7 for major incidents or advice. Media on-call mobile: 0411 282 404. Contact Director of Marketing & Media Kristie Carter on 0427 488 239 or email
[email protected].
10 N S W AM B U L A N C E
SIRE NS 11
The tourist brochure says: “Ni Hao”- Chinese for hello! Located south of Sydney close to Mascot airport and various still waterways and beaches, Hurstville is one of the fastest growing and developing areas in Sydney. With a population that is 80 per cent Chinese, the location boasts some amazing markets and eateries. Hurstville has its own mini Chinatown, lots of shops, parks and bushland.
The staff at your station say: “We go everywhere!” Hurstville is on the central fringe of the south west and south east boards which means we respond to work in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney and the Inner West, as well as the occasional casualty run to the city. It’s a daily occurrence to leave the station early in the morning and not return until sign off time. We treat a diverse mix of people from all cultures and backgrounds, and all different ages.
Most common jobs around your area?
on station with
hurstville
12 N S W A M B U L A N C E
We receive a mix of nearly every category of work. Hurstville has an older population who have been in the area since before it became dotted with high rise buildings and they are more than happy to reminisce about how Hurstville has changed over the years. We are familiar with all the local nursing homes, to the extent we remember the codes to get into each one! Due to the patient demographic we attend a fair amount
of falls, strokes and chest pains. It’s not unusual to go a whole day where the average age of your patient is 80 to 90. At the other end of the spectrum, we assist a lot of school aged children and the occasional drug affected/mental health emergency from younger age groups.
How many staff at your station? Hurstville has approximately 50 staff, many of whom are long standing. We have a DOM, two SOs, about nine ICPs, 25 P1s, two interns and, currently, three trainees, not to mention about 10 part- timers who make up our bunch. We’re a close team.
What geographical challenges do you face? The area has large parks with cycling and running tracks and this can make it difficult when locating patients who are unsure where exactly they are. Navigating one-way streets and high rise apartments in central Hurstville can be stressful during time critical jobs. There is always a sigh heard from staff when we receive a job in Lugarno or Peakhurst Heights as it inevitably leads to steep driveways, limited access, difficult extrications, and some interesting car reversing to get the patient out. We need to have a good sense of direction and be well versed using the street directory.
What do you enjoy most about working in your area? It’s a fast paced area with a diverse demographic and range of work. The staff at Hurstville and surrounding stations is experienced, enthusiastic, motivated and great to work with. St George Hospital is our local major trauma hospital and we have a fantastic rapport with the staff. There is also a plethora of decent coffee houses in our area!
Reality Check: confronting
road safety message made tangible for 21,000 students at Westmead Hospital. Its purpose is to reduce the fatality and injury rates of young people by promoting safe behaviour as drivers, riders and passengers by providing students with first-hand experience and an understanding of their responsibilities as drivers and passengers.
It’s pitch black. 7000 students sit in the dark. Yet the silence is palpable. It’s broken by the horrific sounds of metal crumpling, glass shattering and bone chilling screams. The lights flicker on and a Hollywoodstyle re-enactment of a horrific motor vehicle crash confronts the teenagers.
panicked. The drivers of both cars are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation.
A car is up against a pole, a lifeless, mangled and bleeding body lays sprawled on the ground and teenagers groan, moan and cry hysterically in agony, begging for help.
This scene has no doubt been at some point close to the reality of a response for many, if not all, of our frontline paramedics.
Minutes before, two cars driven by P-platers had just left a birthday party and were driving home. In the first car sat three teenagers. The backseat passenger had just unclicked her seat belt to show the driver a photo on her mobile phone. He was distracted for a few seconds. In that short time, he hit a motorcyclist and crashed into a pole at high speed. The now unrestrained backseat passenger was ejected through the windscreen and is lying on the ground, bleeding from her ears. She is deceased. The front seat passenger is trapped in the car, bleeding profusely and 14 N S W AM B U L A N C E
Yet for the Year 10 students from schools across NSW who are watching, its horror is gut wrenching and overwhelming.
On the auditorium floor, two NSW Ambulance crews arrive. The kids watch as our staff assess and go about picking up the pieces of the shattered lives, delivering life-saving medical care to those still with a chance of survival. As a Special Operations Paramedic, Gerry Pyke like many of our paramedics, has responded to a lot of traumatic road crashes. “It is confronting for the kids because it is so real. They can relate, picture it happening to themselves and become emotionally invested in what they are seeing. Sometimes I’ve even had to remind myself it is in this case a scenario. I have no doubt that this event will have had an impact on the driving behaviour of these kids and saved a life. That’s what makes being involved so worthwhile.”
Overall, 12 NSW Ambulance personnel, including both paramedics and staff who assisted with the coordination, were involved in delivering the three day event. At the crash scene, we’re soon joined by Fire & Rescue NSW and NSW Police. Their lights flash and sirens sound, not loud enough to drown out the horror of the distressing scene, narrated by Dr Ken Harrison, Senior Staff Specialist at Westmead Hospital, As frontline responders, NSW Ambulance paramedics and Westmead Trauma Service staff see daily that young people aged 15 to 30 are disproportionally represented in road trauma. bstreetsmart provides vital information and strategies to avoid serious injuries and death and educates kids on how to reduce risk-taking behaviour through greater awareness of the consequences of distracted driving, inattention, speeding, drink and drug driving and driver fatigue.
Students sit quietly watching. Some sit stunned. Some can’t look away while others cover their mouths to supress vocal cries. Some hug each other in their seats, others sob, wracked by tears as they witness something so apparently real unfolding in front of them. For some students, it’s too much, they can’t keep watching and they’re accompanied by teachers into the foyer where they are met by counsellors. It’s called bstreeetsmart - the inspiring initiative of the Trauma Service SIRE NS 15
Our Youngest Life Savers:
NSW Ambulance Super Stars
Every year NSW Ambulance awards dozens of coveted “Star Awards” to kids all over the state who have saved a life by calling Triple Zero (000) for someone in need. As these examples show, they’ve proven they are not just stars, they’re super duper stars! Meet eight-year-old Bailey Wrigley and sisters Isabelle, 7, and Mia Smith, 5. All joined our Star Award Club last month. Bailey came to the rescue of his mum Andrea in May who lost consciousness following a serious sinus infection which had travelled to her brain. Call taker Maria Santos said she knew the situation was serious when she asked Bailey to wake his mum but she was not responding. Paramedics Sabina Fazlic, Natalie Booth and Russell McNeil attended. Paramedic Fazlic said Bailey calmly provided vital information about his mum’s recent health.
Andrea made a full recovery and was proudly in attendance when Bailey received his Star Award during a school assembly at Five Dock Public School. When Penrith mum Kelly McLean collapsed at her home in May, her daughters Isabelle and Mia were quick to act. Isabelle contacted Triple Zero (000) while Mia went next door to raise help from a neighbour. Call taker Priscilla Velthuys stayed on the line, keeping the girls calm and reassuring them an ambulance was on the way. Duty Operations Manager Michael Magyary, who was first on the
A/DOM Michael Magyary and Paramedics Graeme Findley and Kim Denic are pictured with Isabelle, 7, and Mia Smith, 5, and proud mum Kelly.
scene, said he was impressed with how the girls kept their composure. “They did a great job answering questions about their mum’s medical condition,” he said. The girls received their Star Awards at Jamisontown Public School, with mum in attendance. You can watch more on Isabelle and Mia’s story here. We agree with Nine Newsreader Peter Overton who declared these youngsters are “Super Star Awards” recipients!
Bailey Wrigley , 8, is congratulate d by Paramedics Natalie Booth (left) an d Sabina Fazlic , and his parents.
Kidsfest ‘Popular Choice’ award for NSW Ambulance NSW Ambulance was proud to be acknowledged for its role in the 2015 Kidsfest Shellharbour event after being presented with two awards at a recent dinner function. Kidsfest Shellharbour is the biggest community-run, week long festival held annually in NSW for children, their families and carers. NSW Ambulance first became involved in 2013 after a “Helper Friends” Emergency Services Expo was introduced to the festival’s program of activities. Based at the Rural Fire Service Headquarters at Albion Park, this year’s expo marked the biggest and most successful to date with about 750 kids coming through the gates. Following the event, DOM Norm Rees attended the annual Kidsfest Shellharbour awards night and received on behalf of NSW Ambulance a “Valued Kidsfest Supporter” award and the Popular Choice “Helper Friends Emergency Services Expo” award. A painting by one of the students - “Golden Man” by Minna, aged 5 - was also presented.
Beanies for Brain Cancer Our paramedics have been supporting their communities in all corners of the state over the last month. Thanks for all you do! Almost 40 Illawarra-based NSW Ambulance staff, their friends and family donned purple beanies recently to support the victims of brain cancer. The team raised a tremendous $1000 through their purchase of beanies for the Brain Cancer Foundation’s “Beanies for Brain Cancer” fundraiser. Lake Illawarra Local Area Command Superintendent Wayne Starling purchased 50 beanies and was supported by his staff who then
16 N S W AM AMBULANCE
DOM Norm Rees is pictured (centre) accepting two awards at the annual Kidsfest Shellharbour awards dinner.
threw down the challenge to all Illawarra emergency services to match or beat their effort of $1000 raised. Inspired, Bulli-based Specialist Paramedic Carol Bond (2015 NSW Emergency Services Paid Officer of the Year, see page 43) took up the challenge, this culminating in June when paramedics from Kiama to Helensburgh assembled in Wollongong wearing their special beanies for a media photo call. Carol told the Illawarra Mercury
Wollongong ambulance staff take up the Beanies for Brain Cancer challenge. Photo courtesy Illawarra Mercury. newspaper that, given the nature of the job, paramedics were happy to help such causes ‘‘Everyone has bought a beanie, it’s been a real team effort,’’ she said. The team has since thrown down the challenge to Illawarra fire fighters to follow suit. SIRE NS 17
Excellence in the Hunter: Sector awarded for Quality and Achievement NSW Ambulance, Hunter and New England sector, was honoured to receive two awards at the recent Hunter and New England Excellence Awards for Quality and Achievement 2015. The sector was announced joint winner in the Quality Integrated Care for the Older Person category for its role in the Aged Care Emergency (ACE) service. ACE was established to support staff in residential aged care facilities to meet residents’ acute care needs, determine goals for care, and reduce the need for residents to be transferred to an Emergency Department.
Since 2005, the sector has participated in Professor Chris Levi’s Local Health District’s outstanding and internationallyrecognised initiative on stroke care, specifically in the area of pre-hospital recognition and treatment of acute stroke. Paramedics across the Hunter have participated in this pioneering study and project which has led to amazing outcomes for acute stroke patients.
Drum Roll Please!
The initiative is a collaboration of NSW Ambulance, Hunter Medicare Local, Hunter and New England health emergency departments and Local Health District project staff, and residential aged care facilities. The result for NSW Ambulance was a reduced transport rate and an estimated project saving of $900,000.
18 hard working NSW Ambulance paramedics were nominated by the community they serve for the inaugural 2015 Rotary NSW State Emergency Services Awards. Our four finalists were standouts but it was Bulli based Paramedic Carol Bond who took the big gong – named NSW Emergency Services Paid Officer of the Year!
Paramedics and station officers in the Port Stephens area have participated in this initiative with the project now being rolled out across other parts of the zone. The sector was also a winner in the Translational Research category for its Transforming Acute Stroke Care Locally and Globally initiative.
Transforming Acute Stroke Care Locally and Globally team members including DDO Jeff Hescott (far right) and Dr Chris Levi (centre) accepted their award.
Paramedics honoured at frontline and community service awards Congratulations to DOM Kevin McSweeney and Intensive Care Paramedic Luke Frost who were among emergency and community services personnel recognised at the 2015 Parramatta Lord Mayor’s Frontline and Community Service Awards ceremony. Kevin was presented with a Community Service Award, recognising his career with NSW Ambulance together with his passion for helping others beyond the workplace including educating school kids about the role of paramedics, teaching first aid and raising funds to support children living with serious illnesses. (L-R): ICP Luke Frost, Zone Manager Josh Atkins, DOM Kevin McSweeney, DDO Simmone Locke, Health Relationship Manager Steve Vaughan and awards nominee ICP Heidi McGuire. 18 N S W AM B U L A N C E
And the winner is...
Luke was honoured with an Excellence in Service Award in acknowledgement of his initiative in coordinating clinical information days at Parramatta Station to increase the knowledge base and practical application of that knowledge amongst his peers. He is also volunteering as a Peer Support Officer.
The announcement was made at the inaugural 2015 Rotary NSW State Emergency Services Awards held in Sydney on 28 August, attended by NSW Governor David Hurley, NSW Premier Mike Baird and Commissioners and colleagues from other emergency services.
“This means so much because it is recognition of everyone else who has supported me. It was also an opportunity for me to get up and thank everybody else, including workmates. It is validation of all the support I get from my family and friends.’’
A/Chief Executive David Dutton was also in attendance and proudly witnessed Carol’s success saying, “I was thrilled to watch Carol’s humble excitement as she won the NSW Ambulance category before being named the overall NSW Emergency Services award winner.”
Congratulations to Carol and all of our nominees and finalists. You have done us incredibly proud!
Of 18 paramedic nominations the four finalists were: • Bulli Paramedic Carol Bond • Dungog Paramedic Paul Alexander • Wagga Wagga Paramedic Phil Hoey • Bankstown SOT Paramedic Gerry Pyke “All of these nominees are proof that our paramedics are indeed special people and represent all of our exceptional staff who dedicate their lives serving their communities, professionally and personally.” With 28 years of service under her belt, Carol is a shining representative for our organisation. Like so many of our staff, she commits vast amounts of time and energy to supporting not only her patients and NSW Ambulance colleagues, but also various community groups - all this while being a fulltime shift working mum! Carol said she was thrilled, and surprised, to win the accolade.
Commissioner David Dutton congratulates Bulli-based Paramedic Specialist Carol Bond at the 2015 Rotary NSW State Emergency Services Awards. SIRE NS 19
Letters of Appreciation ital with p s o H y b to Horns reme gratitude n e k a t s t g s my ex nee I wa s k e r y ll as bein p m e x e g w o in s t t a a d loc st wante xtremely friendly f care beyond ju After dis I . s o level o both e ale amb two fem hem, they were demonstrated a e and sharing of t g to m , they y both d in e k a h a b T to both e t l. p a s a h e g and s not t fession very pro ysical, comfortin gh my injury wa n encouraged m ph y nd eve en thou a v t E n just the . rtake. M ir a s t e r e d o lv n p e u s im o t e em ult of th xtremely at I would have s e about th e r s t a c e e ir ted m ocess th nificantly as a d r p still trea y r e v e reco grew sig s ic d about th e m for para respect actions.
A lady b y the na me of E contact rica was ed by a f r ie nd of m Triple Ze ine who ro (000) called on my b was usin ehalf wh g a sate ilst I llite 2-w device t a y messag o relay in e formatio The incid n via my f ent was riend. concern bite at lo ing a sn wer altit ake udes in Nationa Koscius l Park. A zko fter leav and get ing hosp ting in c ital ontact w was told it h my frien that Eric dI a, whils NSW Am t o n bulance behalf o and ass f evacuat is ting in m ion, was y , and I q an abso uote, “.. lute dea .she’s d s et legen writing t d hank yo ! If you’ u notes re she’s on t h en make your list sure because more th she’s do an mos ne t operat she des ors wou erves it… ld, and ”. I wou person ld like to evacuat , as the ed, pers for help onally th ing me. ank her In short her a m , if you c edal, th an’t give en at lea and sen s t b uy her a d me th e bill! M beer thanks a y most sin nd gratit c erest ude.
ck with hives on his body … his lips and My four-year-old boy had an allergy atta bulance. Amber and Phil arrived within 10 eyes swelled up so we had to call the am confidence they showed helped and m cal The r. ove k too ay aw t igh stra minutes and m e child, to hand him over and watch the my anxiety. For parents of an only miracl somehow when they left I knew that But g. thin y eas an not is e anc bul am go in the when I think of all the emergencies and they would look after my boy. I shudder since they are so young. Unbelievable horrific things these two see in their lives appeased the fear of a 40-year-old mum. how two young paramedics in their 20s Outstanding job.
20 N S W AM AMBULANCE
The prompt response, professionalism and calming nature provided by your personnel helped reduce any anxiety experienced by the patient and her twin sister, my wife. My treatment by your officers was above excellence. The care and compassion has left a lasting impression on myself and family.
We so very much appreciate how between the police and the paramedics, the situation that had us so very c oncerned, was handled and dea lt with.
h g wit as n i l l e w av fe. It f for tr i l l y u f grate saved m ginning o e b e e t to they o l s a the b ue to th a s n e a e v s d w m I ha edic olve entle e that it v m g e a r t e thes to m id no of the pa ords I d d e t a n i h g expla t attack t d trainin de and w y heart n itu lm ar th al d to a he hinking a with grat i I on b w u em eh o kt quic t Ives. S thank th ld be pro ervice. on ou alf of my fa S r ess I You shou in your s r from to my thanks for mily would p x . te is a moth anno g my life n like th er in t ll the assis like to pas Their c s ryi ta ef avin entleme she w forts were ng to keep nce given for s g a g h two e v a the p s given the reatly app er alive. h arame re dics w best chanc ciated and eo ho profe ssion were extre f life by al. mely SIRE NS 21
2015 City2Surf Thousands of competitors joined this year’s City2Surf, among them NSW Ambulance staff – both on duty and as participants. Many paramedics were heartened to be cheered on by the odd “gorilla”, some “wonder women” and a team of “Where’s Wally?” candidates.
PUTTY ROAD Community First Responders
Putty Road Community First Responders are pictured with their new purpose-built responder vehicle.
Naremburn Paramedic Philip Colman finished the 2015 City2Surf in a personal best of 65 minutes 43 seconds. He catches up with shadow site supervisor Paramedic Mitch Baker.
This group of Volunteer and Community First Responders recently commenced training in Goulburn. They hail from Canyonleigh, Bigga, Windellama and Yeoval and will top up current numbers in these areas.
SNOW BLANKETS PERISHER With just days to go before Spring, 20cm of snow blanketed Perisher Valley on 24 August, turning it into a renewed winter wonderland.
