Brimbank SES member Michael Casha wanted to do a bit more to help out during the COVID-19 pandemic. So when the opportunity came for emergency service members to help Ambulance Victoria staff handle the growing number of patients, he jumped at the chance to lend a hand.
“I think it was an unbelievable opportunity,” he said.
“I’ve been an SES member for 13 years and I was looking at the pandemic thinking what can I do now?
“[Paramedics] are such incredible health professionals, especially during the pandemic.”
Mr Casha had both online and in-person training before taking to the road with a paramedic.
He had to learn how to drive the vehicle, advanced first aid training, manual handling techniques and being able to check for vital signs.
Mr Casha said there was a mix of nerves and excitement when he did his first shift.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” he said.
“There is a sense of pride in helping them and giving back. I’ve done about eight shifts now. I was extremely tired after the first few, but I’ve honestly been energised speaking to all the paramedics.”
Mr Casha said he was doing two to three shifts a week.
Three other members of the Brimbank unit have recently completed their training to go out on the road with paramedics.
Mr Casha said this experience would make him a better SES member.
“The skills we are learning in health care and first aid are important,” he said.
“It’s emergency management and it helps with better ways to communicate. We can take those back to the SES.
“It makes me a better SES member and community member.”
