The SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) Limestone Coast Volunteer Regional Response Team is seeking volunteers to answer the call and join, as the service launches a new community recruitment drive.
While the response team is based at SAAS’s Mount Gambier station, volunteers respond to a variety of emergency calls across the region.
Volunteers across the Limestone Coast have been speaking about the benefits of becoming a SAAS volunteer in country South Australia, which they say is easier than many may think and provides an opportunity to make a difference in the region and gain life-long skills that can be used in everyday life.
Response team volunteer Reanna Baldwin said playing a vital role in the community has allowed her the opportunity to meet many different people.
“The response team helps out other stations in need so being a part of this team means you could go anywhere from Mount Gambier to Keith, depending on the crewing needs,” she said.
“It’s an amazing experience to meet different stations crews and just being able to explore the Limestone Coast slightly more is wonderful.
“My four-and-a-half-year-old son gets excited when I put my ambulance uniform on. I can tell how happy he is that mum ‘drives the ambulance’, as he puts it.”
Miss Baldwin said she had no medical background or experience before starting with SA Ambulance Service.
“SAAS provided me with all the training I needed to be able to go out and help the people in our communities,” she said.
“They gave me the confidence to be able to assist and we are always learning more at weekly trainings to maintain and further our knowledge.
“Since joining SAAS I have gone on to do my nursing diploma and I am now an enrolled nurse.
“If I had not joined SAAS I would not be where I am today in my career because I would not have realised I loved helping people. SAAS has really helped me become the person I am today.
“I encourage anyone who thinks they might not be able to be an ambulance volunteer to join us. You might surprise yourself.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact regional team leader Velicea Doman on 0419 037 602 or the Volunteer Support Unit on 1300 175 584 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm), visit www.saasvolunteer.sa.gov.au or email SAASvolunteer@sa.gov.au to apply.
