Paramedic Paul Davies chuffed at receving Australia Day Honours

RECOGNISED in the Australia Day Honours for 2017 is Gooseberry Hill paramedic Paul Davies.

Mr Davies joined St John Ambulance as a student ambulance officer in January 1994 and qualified as a paramedic in January 1997.

In what the Governor General has described as “a distinguished career he has worked as a metropolitan paramedic, on-road tutor, country paramedic and more recently he has been the RAC Rescue Helicopter Critical Care Paramedic” (CCP).

In August 2003, when the RAC Rescue Helicopter began its operations he underwent specialist and advanced training.

“He remains an integral part of the elite CCP team”, his nomination for an Ambulance Service Medal said.

“I’m very chuffed to receive it. It is very unexpected. I moved here in 1991 so to receive an award from the Govenor General is incredibly pleasing.”

Mr Davies who emigrated from Wales, was originally an engineer.

His role as a CCP ensures that patients who find themselves in difficult circumstances, and in environments that are difficult to access, to receive the highest level of medical care before being transported to the specialist centres as quickly as possible.

He has always been a highly respected paramedic who has won a number of awards for his work from other health sector agencies.

Mr Davies has also worked closely with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

From all emergency service providers feedback, Mr Davies has been described as “a true ambassador for the paramedic profession, and has been instrumental in developing the profession as skilled and recognised workforce”.

He was awarded the Ambulance Service Medal at a special ceremony on Australia Day.

In his current work, Mr Davies has also assisted in trials in advancing ambulance equipment and new procedures.

He was closely involved in the layout and design of St John’s now standard fleet of new Mercedes ambulances, spending many hours of his own time ensuring that the ambulances were functional from both a patient and a crew perspective.

He served for many years on St John’s Equipment Review Committee where his background in engineering came in handy.

The award comments said Mr Davies, “through his long and outstanding service with St John Ambulance has significantly contributed to the community of Western Australia”.