QAS staff and volunteers recognised for vital contribution

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick today presented a number of prestigious awards to Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) staff as part of Ambulance Week celebrations.

Mr Dick said the QAS Commissioner Achievement Awards recognised the important contribution that QAS staff and volunteers make to the safety and wellbeing of their fellow Queenslanders.

“Paramedics, Emergency Medical Dispatchers and QAS volunteers provide help and hope for Queenslanders in their darkest hours all year round,” he said.

“Today, these modest heroes of society, who go about their vital work without expecting recognition or praise, were honoured for their outstanding contribution to QAS and the community.”

Mr Dick said more than eighty awards were presented to staff at the ceremony held at the Emergency Services Complex at Kedron.

“Today, I have been fortunate enough to meet and honour staff and volunteers who have gone above and beyond for QAS and their local communities," he said.

“Of particular note were the recipients of the prestigious QAS Commissioner’s Achievement Awards.

“The Achievement Awards were presented for fostering innovation, excellence in performance and leadership, courage and integrity and customer focus.”

Mr Dick said Gold Coast boy Alex Gallen was presented the ‘Young Hero of the Year’ award for showing maturity, courage and leadership in a difficult situation.

“Eleven-year-old Alex demonstrated a high level of maturity for calling medical assistance for his mother, Alicia, who was in severe respiratory distress due to asthma," he said.

“He calmly and efficiently provided the necessary information to the Emergency Medical Dispatcher and assisted our paramedics with their kit bags when they arrived.”

Mr Dick said Advanced Care Paramedic Darrell Thompson from Ravenshoe and Officer-in-Charge Leia Spencer from Gladstone shared the Commissioner’s Achievement Award.

“Darrell Thompson was recognised for his response to the Ravenshoe Café explosion in June where 20 people suffered significant burns and two tragically lost their lives," he said.

“Leia Spencer was acknowledged for her continued leadership to staff at Gladstone, spending countless hours understanding and educating them.”

 Mr Dick congratulated all recipients that received awards today as well as throughout Ambulance Week at ceremonies across the state.

“I want to thank all QAS staff for their contribution and assistance to build the service into the modern, high-performing organisation it is today.” 

A number of other awards were also presented, including the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal, National Emergency Medal along with National Medal and Long Service Medals.

ENDS

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