newy.com.au – Three new emergency medical call takers will join NSW Ambulance’s triple-zero control centre at Charlestown, strengthening the Hunter Region’s emergency response as part of a fresh statewide intake.
They are among 31 recruits officially inducted into NSW Ambulance at a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney on Friday. It was the third emergency medical call taker graduation held this year, with the intake boosting control room staff numbers across the Sydney, Northern and Western centres.
The NSW Ambulance Control Centre at Charlestown handles ambulance Triple Zero calls for northern NSW, extending from the Hawkesbury to the Queensland border. Call takers will work in one of the least visible but most important parts of the emergency health system, answering calls from people seeking urgent medical help and gathering information needed for a frontline response.
The graduates have completed an intensive training program designed to prepare them for their role as the first point of contact for people in urgent need of medical assistance.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the new call takers were joining a world-class service.
“These new emergency call takers are joining a world-class service that is making a difference every day, during some of the most critical times in people’s lives,” Mr Park said.
“Their work may be unseen, however it is a vital and essential part of a frontline emergency response to people in need.
“Congratulations to NSW Ambulance’s newest inductees, and thank you for the contribution you’re making to our front-line services.”
NSW Ambulance Interim Chief Executive Clare Beech said the call taker position was central to the work of the service.
“We proudly welcome our newest emergency medical call takers, stepping into a role that sits at the heart of our service,” Ms Beech said.
“The call taker role is critical, gathering the right information quickly and providing compassion and reassurance to the caller on the other end of the phone.
“I congratulate each graduate on this achievement and thank them for choosing a career dedicated to serving the community.”
The new recruits come from a range of backgrounds, including trainee emergency medical call taker Bethany Whitnall, who will join the Sydney control centre and is also establishing herself as a professional referee in women’s and men’s rugby union.
“I love being busy and constantly pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve at NSW Ambulance,” Ms Whitnall said.
“The ability to stay calm under pressure and communication skills I have gained from being the first female referee in men’s first grade rugby union in my area will be valuable in my new role.”
