NSW Ambulance

Our doctors and paramedics are ready for anything - even caring for four-legged heroes.  When NSW Ambulance deploys with the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team during international incidents, we’re responsible for the health of NSW Police Force search dogs. These highly trained dogs play a vital role in search and rescue operations, so keeping them fit and healthy is critical.  Recently, our USAR-trained aeromedical doctors and special operations paramedics completed K9 medical treatment and care training. They learned how to perform daily health checks and provide emergency care for these incredible dogs if they become sick or injured on deployment.  A big thank you to Dr Adam Sternberg from Greencross Vets, who volunteers his time to train our paramedics to provide care during deployments.  It’s all part of making sure every member of the team – human and canine – is ready to save lives.  #NSWAmbulance #NSWPolice  

BRAVEHEARTS: NSW Ambulance staff were recognised for their exemplary contributions during three incidents where they demonstrated a high level of courage and dedication at The Royal Humane Society of NSW Bravery Awards yesterday.  After two storm cells swept across the Mandagery floodplain upstream from Eugowra in November 2022, there was significant flooding in the town. Three of our critical care paramedics, alongside six @toll aircrew, were presented with medals for their contribution in airlifting 159 people to safety with many more rescued by vehicles and boats.   Three paramedics along with four people from the local community also received awards for their part in the Steven Tougher incident in 2023. The tragic death of one of our colleagues has had a profound effect on staff, and he will always be remembered for his own compassion and dedication.  Other community members who stepped up to the challenge in a time of need also received accolades today.  On a late afternoon at Manly Beach in March this year, and with surf lifesavers finished for the day, a swimmer was spotted face down in the water. Impervious to their own safety, three beachgoers leapt into action and pulled an unconscious man from the water before calling Triple Zero (000). All three were nominated by NSW Ambulance Inspector Mark Whittaker.  Congratulations to you all and thank you for your service. #NSWAmbulance 

RESCUE BOATS HIT WATER IN TIME FOR SUMMER: NSW Ambulance has unveiled 8 new Patient Extrication Vessels (PEVs) to strengthen our response during floods and emergencies. These 7-metre aluminium boats, built in Yamba on the NSW north coast, can carry up to 7 people and are equipped with twin 60hp engines for rapid response in hazardous conditions. The PEVs will allow our Special Operations paramedics to: ✅ Rescue patients from isolated areas ✅ Transport doctors and extended care paramedics to flood-affected communities ✅ Deliver vital medical supplies where they’re needed most This investment means faster, safer care for communities cut off by floodwaters and illustrates our commitment to providing world-class care no matter the conditions. The vessels will be based at key locations across NSW and deployed wherever they’re needed. #NSWAmbulance

GATOR-AID: For Wahroonga paramedics Will and Ben, a recent encounter with an alligator was definitely not on that day's agenda.  “We were about to head to our station when we noticed a van doing laps and clearly lost, so we asked if they required assistance,” Will said. “When we saw what was in the back, we could not resist having a close encounter and getting a few snaps.”  “One of the reptiles was a four-foot alligator,” Ben laughed. “Luckily, we only got close to the smaller ones who seemed quite friendly. It certainly made for a fun interlude in our day and a story to tell the guys later.”  Great work and thanks for sharing! #NSW Ambulance 

More Intensive Care Paramedics hit the road! Congratulations to our latest cohort of 6 Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs) who have been signed off in the last few weeks after finishing their 27 weeks of specialist training.  They are now deployed to serve our communities across Sydney’s South West, Inner West & Northern Beaches, as well as the Central Coast and Coffs Harbour.   Lucky is among the 6 ICPs who have just finished their training (pictured here with his mentors Andrew and Alan).  “I’ve always aspired to become an ICP, inspired by the skill and leadership of those who mentored me - including Andrew and Alan,” Lucky said.   “The course was challenging, but it’s given me the foundations to keep developing and provide the highest level of care to the community.”  #NSWAmbulance 

🚁 🚑 Meet Sam a Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) who is part of our aeromedical team that responds to seriously ill or injured patients in complex and often remote environments.   Sam started as a paramedic with NSW Ambulance 25 years ago and has been a CCP for the past 12 years.  “I wanted to become a Critical Care Paramedic because, for me, it was the pinnacle role to be able to take my paramedic skills to anyone, anywhere in the state, at any time,” Sam said.  Whether by road or by helicopter, our CCPs bring the emergency department to the patient - wherever they are.   Critical Care Paramedics undergo specialist training to work alongside doctors in a medical team to perform advanced surgical procedures, administer anaesthesia, carry out blood transfusions and manage complex airways. They’re also trained in rescue techniques, from winching into remote bushland or the ocean, to abseiling down cliffs to reach patients in need.  “While there’s a lot of specialised training involved to become a CCP, including aviation, remote area access and medical training, it’s all broken down into manageable steps,” Sam explained  The education team supports you every step of the way. For any paramedics out there interested in this career, 100% give it a go! It’s a journey with ups and downs, but every single step is worthwhile.”  #NSWAmbulance

HUMANITARIAN AWARD: Congratulations to Dr Megan Cox, NSW Ambulance Emergency Medicine Specialist, who was awarded the 2025 Humanitarian Award by the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) in Montreal. This prestigious award celebrates Megan’s extraordinary 30-year career improving emergency care and public health in Australia, Africa, and across the Pacific. From leading training programs in Botswana to volunteering with Médecins Sans Frontières in Sudan, Megan’s work has transformed emergency systems and inspired clinicians around the world. “There’s a lot of power in working together - I wouldn’t have got this far without being part of a wider global emergency family,” Dr Cox said. Today, Megan continues to make an impact with NSW Ambulance as a State Retrieval Consultant and part of our Virtual Clinical Care Centre, while also teaching future critical care specialists at the University of Sydney. We’re very proud to have Megan as part of NSW Ambulance. #NSWAmbulance 

TURNING UP THE HEAT: NSW Ambulance paramedics were among more than 150 health and emergency services personnel who sprang into action after a simulated gas explosion caused several ‘casualties’ at Warilla beach this week.   Actors and mannequins played the injured, as paramedics, hospital staff, firefighters, police and council lifeguards took part in the training exercise.   NSW Ambulance medical retrieval specialist Dr Nathan Trist said the annual training day, led by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, enabled workers to test their retrieval, triage, treatment and team interaction skills in a different and challenging environment.   "This is a really unique training day in that it brings together all of those agencies working with the same patients ... so what we're trying to demonstrate here is a patient journey from each person's perspective.”   The training day began on the beach where paramedics led the charge before patients were handed over to a simulated hospital in the nearby surf club.  PHOTO CREDIT: Tiago De Almeida @tdaimages  #NSWAmbulance     

SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: Congratulations to NSW Ambulance psychologist Annie Hartley who is one of four national winners of the Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) Women in Leadership Scholarship for 2025.  Annie will join Kathryn Haden and Shwetanjali Teotia from Ambulance Victoria and Maggie Jensen from Queensland Ambulance Service who will now all take the next step in their leadership journeys with a 12-month coaching scholarship.  “I’m excited to win this scholarship not just for me but for my team – the psychologists we have employed at NSW Ambulance go above and beyond for our workforce,” Annie said.  “I have so many ideas and I’m hoping the mentorship I receive over the next 12 months will help bring some of those to fruition – to further support the incredible work of our team.”  Finally, congratulations to all the NSW finalists - including researcher Kimberley Davis, paramedic Emma Stevens, station officers Suzanne Hopcroft and Alana Faughnan, duty operations manager Rebecca Tulk and workforce planning project officer Jody Power.  #NSWAmbulance 

WONDER WOMEN: Best of luck to the seven NSW Ambulance finalists vying for this year's Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) Women in Leadership Scholarship – to be announced tonight.    CAA offers the scholarship to encourage more women to step into leadership roles, and to support the further development of current female leaders in ambulance health services across Australia.    Our finalists are researcher Kimberley Davis, psychologist Annie Fardell Hartley, station officers Alana Faughnan and Suzanne Hopcroft, workforce planning project officer Jody Power, paramedic Emma Stevens and duty operations manager Rebecca Tulk.     These amazing women are all winners to us – with the scholarship winner to be announced at a ceremony in Brisbane this evening.  #NSWAmbulance