Adrian Date, Registered Paramedic, Adv Diploma of Paramedical Science

I joined NSWA in 1986 as a young 19-year-old having no idea what I was entering into - listening to Max Caddis, Brian and Bob at Rozelle chatting about life as an ambo made me eager to “hit the road”. I was stationed at Narrabeen with Steve Tebbet and worked alongside amazing professionals like Chris Lees, Hugh Russell, Ian Hamilton and Jeff Woods. Chris Lees once volunteered me to help Red Cross with assessing a first aid course, which would later have a profound effect on my long-term career.

I worked on the North Shore, completing Paramedic Course 26 with some amazing legends, such as Paul Ribbons, Joe Michaels, Dom Morgan, and Paul Kernick. Oli Juul, Ross Finlay. Graham McCarthy facilitated the training along with Dr Bob Wright, Prof John Overton, and many other amazing specialists.

I always saw the need to provide free CPR training to family groups, so for several years I did this in my spare time. This voluntary training paid off in just one incident when I was sent to a confirmed Code 2, a 5-year-old on the Central Coast. We were told the patient was receiving CPR and just prior to arrival “coord” said the patient was now conscious and breathing. We were met by a very emotional mum carrying a “pink and warm” young child. The mum embraced me saying that I had saved her child … it turns out she had attended one of my “free” home CPR courses several years earlier and had applied the training.

I now run an RTO delivering first aid-related courses nationally, as well as providing paramedical support at sporting events. I recently I caught up with several members of Ambulance Legacy in Temora - the ambulance family is truly a gift I am privileged to be part of.