We all know this is a challenging time and everyone is dealing with significant disruption to their usual way of life. We know that the paramedicine community is not immune to the impacts of COVID-19 and while many of our members work with ambulance services, where there is good job security, there are plenty of College members from those who had worked in the event industry, to university students, who are now dealing with major changes to how they work and learn.

We are lucky that as a College we belong to a community that knows how to support and take care of each other, and that is specifically why I am writing to you today.

The College has been working hard to provide what support we can to our members at this time, such as the following information and resources:

• Job board for those members who have found themselves out of work
• COVID-19 information and updates to keep you informed
• Wellbeing and support information to help you stay safe and well, and
• Creating additional online learning and webinars to help members with their education and wellbeing needs.

The College has been communicating with a range of stakeholders including Ahpra, ambulance services and universities to gather information and understand what they are doing and identify how the College can support our members. We understand at this important time that belonging to the College provides another support network to help those members in need. We see the College as a key partner to paramedics and students, and an integral part of the paramedicine community.

Therefore, we are implementing a Membership Support Program for any existing member who is struggling financially – we want to provide support for members who want to stay connected to our community and belong to the College.

Any member who finds themselves unable to pay their membership fees is invited to contact the College Membership Team on 1300 730 450 > option 2, from 9am Tuesday 14 April (after the Easter long weekend), and we will work through the best way in which we can help you to maintain your membership with us and stay connected.

Membership Support FAQs

I am also pleased to advise that in addition to this support program for members, we will also be making a further announcement next week in relation to paramedicine degree students and how we will support them.

In these unprecedented times, the College is here to support you and sees you as a valued member of a wider community of paramedics and students who are working together.

On behalf of myself, the College Board and staff we wish you a happy and safe Easter - in whatever form that takes this year.

Yours sincerely,

John Bruning
CEO