AESM Vol 26, ISSUE 5 2021

VOL 26: ISSUE 5, 2021
4
Personality
types when
preparing
for disaster :
which one are you?
SERVE & PROTECT:
DIVERSITY AND THE
EMERGENCY SERVICES
PREPARING PEER
SUPPORT PROGRAMS
FOR DISASTER SEASON
FORTEM AUSTRALIA:
SERVING FIRST
RESPONDERS &
THER FAMILIES

WE SEE YOU
PREPARED
AND READY
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Looking after our mental health is as
important as looking after our physical
health. It’s ok to ask for help if you are
not feeling yourself.
There are some things you can do to feel
better, like staying connected, being active,
talking with family, friends and neighbours
and making a new daily routine.
Information Advice Professional Support
Visit headtohealth.gov.au
If you don’t speak English you can call the
Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

FEATURE
CONTENTS
FEATURE
FORTEM
AUSTRALIA
Supporting First
Responder Families
Celebrating the
second birthday of an
incredible organisation
that places mental
fitness, community and
connection at it’s heart
23
Preparing Peer
Support Programs
Phoenix Australia and
the importance of peer
support programs. These
programs are one way
that organisations can
help support the mental
health of their members.
11
FEATURE
Stories of Cultural
Burning in Southern
Australia
33
Access to Emergeny
Services in Remote
Communities
To Serve and Protect:
Bringing Diversity to
Emergency Services
An excerpt from
an essay by Trish
Prentice discussing the
importance of diversity in
the emergency services
industry and it’s role
in boostin volunteer
numbers.
17
New research-backed
storytelling resources
are helping fire agencies
and land management
departments better
understand cultural
burning.
27
Preparing for Disaster
- There are 4 Types of
People
Research shows when it
comes to getting ready for
disasters, there are four
types of people. And this
matters, because good
disaster preparedness can
mean a quicker recovery.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au
Communications are a
necessity for emergency
and non-emergency
support services alike.
APN’s Community-wide
communications services
are enabling indigenous
communities to get
support like never before.
39

THE REGULARS
• Editor’s Note
3
• Recent Events
Thousands join 24hr rowing event for mental health
Drone used for planned burn in the Wimmera
Virtual stair climb raises 200K
The CFA celebrates rural women
• Emergency Law with Dr Michael Eburn
• Let’s Talk Mental Health with A/Prof Erin Cotter- Smith
• On the Frontline - Child Safety
• AESM Book Reviews
• In the Spotlight - The Royal Flying Doctor Service
• Emergency Breaks - K’gari (Fraser Island)
5
6
6
7
9
21
31
37
41
43
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LET’S TALK MENTAL HEALTH
Associate Professor Erin Cotter-Smith
Course Coordinator of the School of
Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan
University.
EMERGENCY LAW
Dr Michael Eburn - PHD, Barrister
and leading expert in law relating to
emergency management & emergency
services.
ON THE FRONTLINE
An Insight into the World of Paramedicine
with Rasa Piggott, Registered Paramedic,
Nurse and Lecturer in Paramedicine at
Australian Catholic University.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
EMERGENCY BREAKS
Each edition features a
profile on a person, team,
partnership, squad or unit
to showcase their unique
contribution to the Emergency
Services industry.
Explore local surrounds, or
new places that are only a
short plane trip or drive away,
so you can maximise every
minute of those days when
your name doesn’t appear
next to a call sign on the roster
Scan Me
to download the AESM App
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Welcome to the latest edition of the Australian Emergency
Services Magazine. We are proud to be an independent
publication that seeks to acknowledge and promote the
incredible work of the emergency services industry and the
disaster management sector in Australia.
If you are a regular reader you will be aware that we don’t
focus on any one service within the industry, we try to
provide a little bit of something for everyone. After all,
when disaster strikes it isn’t just one emergency service
that responds, it is the community of emergency services
and disaster management that work together to achieve a
common goal. In this same way we also strive to represent
the voices of that community.
With storm season and bushfire season upon us and
Summer just around the corner it is the time to get prepared
in our homes, workplaces and communities. It is going to
be a busy time ahead for first responders and emergency
service personnel. In this issue, Phoenix Australia has
provided some valuable information about their peer
support progams in preparation for disaster season. The
article discusses the importance of these programs within
emergency service organisations and how to implement
them within your organisation. These programs help
personnel access much needed support through difficult
times.
Something new in this edition, we have added a book review
section to the magazine. There are so many incredible
stories from within the sector we just had to create a space
to share some good reads. You will find an excerpt from
Sunny Whitman’s book, “Here Hold My Drink And Watch This –
Tales from the lighter side of paramedicine, adventure and life”.
This looks like a great read, plus every paperback sold will
provide funds for someone in a rural community in Nepal
access to up to a year’s supply of clean and safe drinking
water.
Happy reading, stay safe and well,
Bianca Peterson
Editor in Chief
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au
DISCLAIMER
The Australian Emergency Services Magazine
is a community educational resource
publication and does not promote itself
as a charity or fund raising institution, nor
solicit on behalf of charities and is no way
financially supported by or associated
with any government, union or similar
institution. The Australian Emergency Services
Magazine is an independent publication that
is not associated with any services or similar
entities.
Distribution of the publication is Bi-Monthly
and is circulated via a database of interested
parties, including business, subscribers,
advertisers, volunteer organisations,
emergency service sectors, emergency
and disaster management, government,
universities, TAFE and council libraries. A
print and digital magazine is distributed to a
targeted database in each State & Territory.
Every effort is made to ensure that material
presented in the Australian Emergency
Services Magazine was correct at the time of
printing and is published in good faith, no
responsibility or liability will be accepted by
Boothbook Media.
The views and opinions expressed are
not necessarily those of Boothbook
Media and its employees. The content of
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contained within the Australian Emergency
Services Magazine is not necessarily an
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WANT TO CONTRIBUTE?
We are always looking for new
and relevant content that
our readers will enjoy. If you
would like to be featured in
the magazine there are many
options. You may have a story
you would like to share, or
perhaps be featured in our “In
the Spotlight” regular column.
Please submit all articles or
expressions of interest to the
Editor for consideration at:
editor@ausemergencyservices.
com.au
Articles should be no more than
1000 words and be relevant
to the content within the
Australian Emergency Services
Magazine.
3
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

RECENT EVENTS
This year the event has
expanded again to include
five Western Australian clubs
for the first time. “We expect
there to be some healthy
rivalry between clubs and
states this year in both the
fundraising side and the total
distances that each can row
in the 24-hour period,” said
Mel.
All locations will be
connected via Zoom and a
livestream will be broadcast
on the 24 Hour Row
Facebook page for everyone
to watch and support and
hopefully to donate.
24 Hour Row founder, Mel Wellings (left) with Olympic rower, Georgie Rowe
THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS TO JOIN
LIFESAVING 24 HOUR ROW EVENT
There’s just two weeks to go
until the 2021 24 Hour Row
for Mental Fitness supporting
Gotcha4Life. Over 2,000 surf
club members and rowers
Australia-wide are taking part
in this year’s event that was
postponed from August.
In a year where the focus
on mental fitness is more
important than ever, event
organisers are excited to
see the enthusiasm from so
many clubs to participate
and help raise money for
such an important cause.
After the success of the
Avalon Beach 24 Hour Row
over the past three years,
the event has expanded in
2021 despite the pandemic
and extended lockdowns.
Over 40 locations from
Queensland, NSW, Victoria,
South Australia and Western
Australian Surf Life Saving
Clubs and gyms have
registered for the event that
kicks off at midday (AEDST)
Saturday 30 October and
runs until midday Sunday 31
October.
Rowing machines will be
set up at each location and
participants will take turns
rowing for up to one hour
each, keeping the machines
going for the full 24 hour
period. Some of Australia’s
top athletes including
Olympic rower Georgie
Rowe are signed up to take
part alongside well known
figures such as Paul Gallen
and Hugh Jackman, and
participants who have never
been on a rowing machine in
their lives.
Together they will work
through the mental and
physical challenge of rowing
and will raise funds for
Gotcha4Life which delivers
programs to help improve
the mental fitness of all
Australians with the goal
of bringing suicide rates to
zero.
The event is the brainchild
of one of the country’s top
surf boat coaches Nathan
Wellings from Avalon Beach
SLSC and his wife Mel who
started the event in 2018
after a tragic spate of youth
suicides in the Northern
Beaches area.
“After such a tough year
we’re so happy that the
24 Hour Row is able to go
ahead and can’t believe
how many additional clubs
are locked in to participate
this year,” said 24 Hour Row
founder Mel Wellings.
“Mental fitness and the
awareness of how to help
friends and family is so
important and we’re glad
that our little event is now
able to help save lives
nation-wide,” she said.
“Our local community was
struggling to come to terms
with the loss of a number
of our young people in
2018 and our team of surf
boat rowers wanted to do
something positive to help.
We set up a couple of rowing
machines at the club and
rostered everyone to row for
an hour each, over 24 hours.
“It was such a great event,
with great support from all
the community, not just our
club members. We even
had the local MP Rob Stokes
jump on a machine and row
for an hour with us. He didn’t
do too bad a time either,”
said Mel Wellings.
The beneficiary charity,
Gotcha4Life takes action
by delivering mental fitness
programs that engage,
educate and empower local
communities. They focus on
early intervention and the
power of prevention through
connection.
Surf Life Saving NSW
continues its support of the
expanded event assisting
with promoting the event
through their alliance with
Gotcha4Life.
“We love the 24 Hour
Row, now in its fourth
year,” said Gus Worland,
Gotcha4Life’s Founder.
“It’s a great opportunity for
the community to come
together, raise funds to build
mental fitness and have fun
along the way! Our programs
are needed now more
than ever, and funds raised
will allow us to work with
individuals and communities
to reduce instances of poor
mental health and build
stronger connections.”
Worland said.
Every $40 raised allows a
participant to take part in
a life saving Gotcha4Life
mental fitness workshop.
The ripple effect of that one
person being connected and
supported could mean many
more lives are saved.
The event is hoping to raise
$200,000 over the 24 hour
period.
5
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

RECENT EVENTS
TECH TRIAL SUPPORTS
PLANNED BURNING IN
THE WIMMERA
VIRTUAL STAIR CLIMB
RAISES $200K
A drone has successfully
established an ecological
planned burn in the
Grampians National Park,
saving time and reducing the
risk to firefighters, as part of a
trial carried out by Forest Fire
Management Victoria (FFMVic)
crews in the Wimmera.
The trial – which involved
FFMVic crews working with
a licensed operator to fly
the drone and drop aerial
incendiaries to establish the
burn – was found to increase
accuracy and save crews time
from navigating the difficult
terrain on foot.
The 3000-hectare ecological
burn, near Halls Gap, was
identified as ideal for the
drone trial due to its thick
vegetation, intersecting
drainage lines and creek
system – which make it difficult
for crews to access.
Every year since 2017,
FFMVic crews carry out the
burn, which aims to create a
patchy mosaic of burnt and
unburnt land to break up
the vegetation, encourage
regeneration and provide
habitat for threatened species,
such as the Heath Mouse and
Southern Brown Bandicoot.
It also promotes the growth of
threatened native grasses and
orchids and helps to control
weeds in the area.
This trial is part of the
Victorian Government’s record
investment of $517 million in
the Victorian Budget 2021/22
to fund FFMVic workers and
ensure access to modern
technology, fire towers and
equipment.
FFMVic works closely with the
Bureau of Meteorology to
assess weather conditions,
such as humidity, temperature,
and wind speed – and will
only carry out burns when
conditions are suitable.
For the latest information
about when planned burns
are happening near you go to
ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn,
download the VicEmergency
app or call the VicEmergency
hotline on 1800 226 226.
For drone footage visit: https://
publish.viostream.com/player/
download/ny1ykcsdkoo9t4
Hundreds of CFA firefighters
capped off an impressive
campaign for the Melbourne
Firefighter Stair Climb as the
month-long initiative came
to an end on Sunday, 10
October.
The annual event kicked off
on 10 September and ran
through to World Mental
Health Day on 10 October;
aiming to raise funds
and awareness for Post-
Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI),
depression and suicide.
This year, participants
raised a total of more than
$200,000, which will be
donated to Lifeline,Fortem
Australia and 000
Foundation.
Participants climbed a total
of more than 4.7 million
steps – some completed it in
their backyard,some at their
local park and some threw
on a weighted vest to mimic
firefighter gear and climbed
a step ladder.
CFA Chief Officer Jason
Heffernan said he is proud of
the significant contribution of
volunteer members across
the state who gave their time
and energy to raise money
for this worthwhile cause.
“Mental health is an
important topic to our
members and they never fail
to step up to the challenge
when there is an opportunity
to raise awareness around
this topic,” he said.
“It is incredibly encouraging
to see the participation of
our members has made
a real difference in raising
funds to combat mental
illness.”
More than $2.5 million
has been raised across a
variety of charities since the
Melbourne Firefighter Stair
Climb started in 2014.
Event Director and firefighter
Trent Egan thanked all
participants for their
incredible fundraising efforts
during this year’s virtual
climb.
“Victorian first responders,
as well as their family and
friends, always put in their
best effort for the Melbourne
Firefighter Stair Climb and
this year was no different,”
he said.
Donations will remain open
over the next month, so
people who wish to chip in
to support mental health
and the great stair climbing
efforts of firefighters across
Victoria can visit
www.firefighterclimb.org.au.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 6

RECENT EVENTS
female volunteers
currently supporting their
communities in operational,
support, and junior
capacities.
Poolaijelo Fire Brigade
captain Celia Scott said being
female doesn’t hold her back
from doing anything as a CFA
volunteer.
“I don’t see myself as a
female volunteer firefighter,
simply a volunteer firefighter,
she said.
Libby Garoni - 3rd Lieutenant at Gundowring Fire Brigade
“People out here in the
middle of nowhere are
some of the hardest working
people, and without
those types of rural people,
we’d be a bit stuffed.
“CFA is made of these
local women and these
local people, which is why
it’s so important to rural
communities.”
CFA Chief Executive
Officer Natalie MacDonald
said opportunities like
International Rural Women’s
Day provide a chance
to recognise what rural
women bring to their
communities and to CFA as
an organisation.
Captain of the Poolaijelo Fire Brigade, Celia Scott (4th from the left)
A CELEBRATION OF CFA’S RURAL WOMEN
Having grown up in a rural
area, Natalie is only too
aware of how important
rural women are to the
protection and the future of
their communities.
The vital role of women to
their communities, their
brigades, and to CFA as an
organisation was celebrated
as CFA marked International
Rural Women’s Day on 15
October.
Libby Garoni is one of the
thousands of women who
volunteer with CFA to help
her community in Victoria’s
north east.
As a 3rd lieutenant at
Gundowring Fire Brigade and
Deputy Group Officer of the
Bogong Group, Lt. Garoni
said she there’s nothing like
living in a rural area.
“I’m from north east
Victoria and while I lived in
Melbourne for a while, I’m
a country girl at heart,” she
said.
“I’ve been a CFA member
for more than 20 years, and
actually joined when a local
member came round to
ask my husband to join. I’ve
always been a bit of a do-er
and always been part
of community organisations,
so I told him I’d sign up as
well.
“I certainly wasn’t the
first female member of
Gundowring Brigade but
when I first started, there
weren’t a lot of women in the
roles that I’ve taken on.
“I think when people see
women out there having
a go, they’re much more
likely to get out and be part
of it, and there are a lot
more young women joining
nowadays which is fantastic.”
The number of women
in CFA’s ranks has been
increasing over many
years, with 12,622
“CFA’s women are great
role models showcasing the
strength, determination,
diversity of skill and
adaptability of women to the
whole Victorian community
and beyond.
“We are committed to
providing a welcoming,
inclusive and safe place to
volunteer and work, and
want to continue to attract
and retain members of
diverse backgrounds and
experiences that reflect our
communities.”
7
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www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 8

AUSTRALIAN EMERGENCY LAW
A DISCUSSION ON
THE LAW THAT
APPLIES TO OR
AFFECTS AUSTRALIA’S
EMERGENCY SERVICES
AND EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT
Australian Road
Rules and
emergency vehicles
From the Archive - July 27th, 2012
I have been asked again about the application of the road rules when driving
an emergency vehicle. My correspondent wrote:
PHD
Barrister
Leading expert in Law
relating to Emergency
Management & Emergency
Services
The Emergency Law blog is closed
and is now an archive. You can
still access this archive at:
www.emergencylaw.wordpress.com
I work for NSW ambulance service as a paramedic. I have been in the job for just
short of ten years. Recent events have prompted me to investigate the legalities of
rules regulating ambulances responding ‘lights and sirens’ in NSW.As is the nature
of our job, we are given jobs that are categorized R1(hot)(lights and sirens allowed)
to R2- R7 (cold). I’ve been trying to track down information that clearly sets out rules
applying to responding ‘lights and sirens’. The concern I have is many times jobs
are categorized R1 when it is not necessary hence giving the driver the authority
to disobey the RTA road rules, driving above the speed limit hence endangering
the other road users on the road. I spoke to our oh&s rep who said “there is no
legislation that entitles an ambulance to disobey the RTA road rules.. It’s just police
turn a blind eye”. I have consulted management on the issue and they say we must
respond in a manner that gets us to the job in a reasonable time. I have looked
up our Operating procedures SOP and it basically says all care must be taken ..
There appears to be no clear legislation hence making it hard to make an informed
judgement on appropriate behavior in this regard.
Do you have any clear information on this ?
I confess to being amazed that someone can still say ‘there is no legislation
that entitles an ambulance to disobey the RTA road rules.. It’s just police turn a
blind eye’. That is simply wrong. Australia now has national road rules so the
principles, if not the fine details, are the same. In New South Wales the rules
are in the Road Rules 2008 (NSW), (now Road Rules 2014). Rule 306 says:
A provision of these Rules does not apply to the driver of an emergency vehicle
if:
(a) in the circumstances:
• the driver is taking reasonable care, and
• it is reasonable that the rule should not apply, and
(b) if the vehicle is a motor vehicle that is moving-the vehicle is displaying a
blue or red flashing light or sounding an alarm.
All the jurisdictions have this rule, what varies is how they define what is an
emergency vehicle (and see the extensive discussion under the post about
mines rescue, https://emergencylaw.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/597/, about
what is or is not an emergency vehicle in Western Australia).
In NSW an emergency vehicle is defined as:
… any vehicle driven by a person who is:
• an emergency worker, and
• driving the vehicle in the course of his or her duties as an emergency
worker.

with Dr Michael Eburn
“emergency worker” means:
• a member of the Ambulance
Service rendering or providing
transport for sick or injured
persons, or
• a member of a fire brigade, rural
fire brigade or the State Emergency
Service providing transport in the
course of an emergency, or
• a person (or a person belong to a
class of persons) approved by the
Authority.
This is better than trying to define what
is an ambulance by reference to its
design or use and ensures that vehicles
used by the ambulance service, but
not for transporting patients such as
rapid response cars and motorcycles
and command and support vehicles are
’emergency vehicles’.
The rules in the Road Rules 2008 (now
Road Rules 2014) are all the rules of the
road including obligations to obey traffic
lights, keep left, not speed etc. Serious
offences such as dangerous driving are
not in the Road Rules but the Crimes
Act 1900 (NSW) so the exemption does
not apply. The exemption is not an
exemption from civil liability. So how
can we know that it is reasonable that
the rules should not apply?
That’s a question that could be argued
case by case, but by having a system
such as the one described goes a long
way to saying the exemption should
apply to R1 cases but not others. If you
use lights and sirens on an R2 you can
expect a ticket and that you’ll have to
go before a magistrate to try and show
why your conduct was reasonable; if
it’s R1 you could expect the ambulance
service would write to the police
confirming it was an R1 task and the
ticket will be withdrawn. Whether a case
should be classed as R1 is a matter of
policy. I recall being told, when I was in
NSW Ambulance that a ‘call to a person
fallen’ may not sound like much, until
you find they’ve fallen from the third
floor so all 000 calls were ‘urgent duty’.
I don’t know what criteria is now used
for R1 or how you know, before you
get there, whether it’s an appropriate
coding. As the driver you are in charge
of the vehicle so you have to drive in a
way that is safe regardless of the call,
the R1 code can only authorize, not
require you to rely on Rule 306.
Regardless of the call, you have to
take reasonable care, so you have to
take into account a driver approaching
a green light will probably assume
that they have right of way so if you
pull in front of them that’s not taking
reasonable care , you need to stop and
make sure they’ve given way to you
before proceeding. If you do that you
should not get a ticket for running the
red light, and if you do, eg from a red
light camera, you can expect it to be
dropped. Equally you can’t drive so as
put others at unnecessary risk, your
desire to save a life doesn’t warrant
killing or injuring someone else (see
https://emergencylaw.wordpress.
com/2009/10/24/suspended-jailsentence-for-firefighter-involved-in-afatal-accident/,
so if you are driving in
a way that would cause a bystander
to say’gee they’re going fast’ or ‘did
you see that ambulance, that was
dangerous’ then you’re not taking
reasonable care.
If you crash the normal rules of civil
liability apply but that’s ok, all vehicles,
including vehicles that don’t need to be
registered such as NSW RFS appliances,
are covered by compulsory third party
insurance schemes. In theory it’s the
personal liability of the driver but in
reality it is not and, unless the driver is
intoxicated, will never be a matter of
personal liability. Any criminal liability,
such as for dangerous driving causing
death, is personal and does fall upon
the driver.
My shorthand answer, not based on
law as such but my catchy summary
is: when authorized to proceed with
lights and sirens (and what authorized
means will vary from state to state and
service to service) you can do whatever
you like, provided you don’t crash – so
drive in a way that makes sure you don’t
crash – don’t drive too fast and don’t
assume others have seen you or are
giving way to you.
See also
https://emergencylaw.wordpress.
com/2012/02/12/ambulance-officers-speedingfine-storm/
https://emergencylaw.wordpress.
com/2012/06/15/west-australian-police-officercharged/
https://emergencylaw.wordpress.
com/2010/04/19/police-caught-on-camerarunning-red-lights-speeding-for-no-reason/
This article originally appeared on the
blog Australian Emergency Law (https://
emergencylaw.wordpress.com/) and is reproduced
with the permission of the author.
As a blog post it represents the author’s opinion
based on the law at the time it was written.
The blog, or this article, is not legal advice and
cannot be relied upon to determine any person’s
legal position. How the law applies to any
specific situation or event depends on all the
circumstances.
If you need to determine legal rights and
obligations with respect to any event that has
happened, or some action that is proposed,
you must consult a lawyer for advice based on
the particular circumstances. Trade unions,
professional indemnity insurers and community
legal centres can all be a source for initial legal
advice.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 10

Authors:
Eliza Blomfield
Courtney Bowd
Amila Kaye
Anita Savic
Alexandra Howard

Preparing Peer Support Programs
for Disaster Season
with insights from Todd Wehr, Director of the Queensland Ambulance
Staff Support Service, Priority One
Alongside the rewards of their work, employees
and volunteers in the emergency services face
unique stressors and mental health challenges.
Routine exposure to potentially traumatic events,
combined with organisational stressors such as shift
work, can take a considerable toll on wellbeing (Lawn et
al., 2020).
The results of a survey conducted by Beyond Blue of
over 21, 000 emergency service members indicate
rates of mental health conditions including anxiety,
depression and probable PTSD are significantly
elevated among Australia’s first responders, compared
to the general community (Beyond Blue Ltd., 2018).
Recently, the impact of major events such as the
2019/20 bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic has
highlighted the importance of ensuring accessible,
effective supports are in place to protect the wellbeing
of our emergency workers.
Coordinated peer support programs are one way that
organisations can help support the mental health of
their members. These programs are typically designed
to provide an initial point of contact for individuals
experiencing personal or work-related issues, and
to assist with referral to professional services where
appropriate.
Expert consensus suggests programs that promote
social connection, calming, self- and community
efficacy, a sense of safety and hope can reduce stress
and bolster resilience among those who have been
exposed to potentially traumatic events (Dückers, 2013).
Organisations that seek to introduce or strengthen peer
support offerings for their members can take direction
from well-established and efficacious programs such
as Priority One. Established in 1992, Priority One is a
multilayered peer support program serving over 5000
Queensland Ambulance employees through a network
of approximately 250 peer supporters.

Todd Wehr, the Director of Priority
One, says peer supporters provide
a vital safety net for colleagues
who may be experiencing distress,
and that peer support is a crucial
element of a strong mental health
and wellbeing framework in
emergency services organisations.
Mr Wehr provided some practical
advice around common actions
agencies can take as they seek to
develop and implement a successful
program to support their workforce.
Developing a peer support program.
Building a well-planned, tailored
program takes time and requires
engagement and commitment from
all levels of an organisation. “It is
not enough to select a few peer
supporters and expect a program
will work – you need strong policies
and practices in place before
a program commences”, says
Mr Wehr. Every organisation is
different, and early and ongoing
consultation with employees
and volunteers will help leaders
understand the unique challenges
faced by different areas of their
workforce, and what actions might
be taken to encourage utilisation of
a program that will provide brief,
early, and practical interventions for
individuals experiencing distress.
Selecting peer supporters.
When asked about important
characteristics for peer
supporters to
possess, Mr
Wehr emphasised a capacity for
self-care. Since peer supporters
will likely support their colleagues
through experiences that they have
had themselves, supporters need
to develop awareness of what might
trigger their own psychological
distress; as well as show willingness
to access mental health supports for
themselves and take breaks from
their role as required. Ideally, the
peer support team will have a diverse
membership that is representative of
an agency’s unique workforce. “The
peer support team should include
a range of personalities, too, since
people will choose to share personal
experiences with those who they feel
comfortable with”, says Mr Wehr.
Training peer supporters.
Peer supporters should undergo
comprehensive training (including
ongoing refresher training) in simple
psychological techniques such as
listening skills, as well as peer-based
approaches such as Psychological
First Aid (PFA). PFA is a flexible, simple
approach, endorsed by the World
Health Organisation, that anyone
with the appropriate training can
use to support others who have
experienced trauma. Ideally, peer
support training involves practical,
scenario-based application of
relevant skills, as well as information
about local professional support
services and treatment options. Mr
Wehr says that through training, “We
don’t make peer supporters, we
provide peer supporters
with additional
skills and knowledge to do what they
already do at work – use their lived
experience to support colleagues – in
a safe, supported way.”
Awareness-raising of peer support
programs.
To ensure program success, first
responders must be aware of
peer support options within their
organisation, including who is
eligible to utilise the service and
how to access support. Agencies
should clearly communicate that the
personal information of those who
engage with the program will remain
confidential, except in cases where
there is a risk of harm to the worker
seeking support, or to others. Peer
support should not only be offered
following exposure to stressful
incidents, but also form part of
routine health and welfare. Mr Wehr
says that incorporating peer support
into everyday life at work helps
normalise conversations around
mental health and can encourage
service utilisation in times of crisis.
Looking after peer supporters.
In recognition of the demands of
their work, it is important that peer
supporters can access support
and expert advice themselves, Mr
Wehr says. Providing information
on self- and team-care, as well as
regular supervision within programs
promotes cohesion in peer support
teams and provides peer supporters
with an opportunity to address
challenges they may be experiencing.
Peer support programs should also
include reliable access to clinical
services for peer supporters, to
ensure both they and those they are
supporting can obtain professional
help when required.
Evaluation of peer support
programs.
A comprehensive program will
include clear goals that are linked
to specific outcomes. Suggested
outcomes include reduced
psychological stress among workers
and perceived program effectiveness,
as well as adjunctive indicators of
program success, such as reduced
absenteeism and staff turnover.
These outcomes should be evaluated
by an external body on a regular
basis, and shape continual program

“Ideally, the peer support team will have a diverse membership that
is representative of an agency’s unique workforce”
improvement. “Some components
of a successful program are hard
to quantify, though”, says Mr Wehr.
“We also get feedback around
improvements in people’s personal
relationships, their sense of trust and
perceived support in the workplace,
and we really value that, too.”
Phoenix Australia has also produced
international guidelines to inform
best practice peer support.
Reducing stigma around accessing
support.
“Management support is critical for
program success”, says Mr Wehr.
Emergency services managers
and supervisors are well-placed
to encourage open conversations
around mental health, and to
affirm the message that service
delivery should not come at the
expense of first responders’ own
wellbeing. Leaders can show the way
by learning about PFA, accessing
psychological support or advice
as needed, listening and acting on
concerns raised by members of their
workforce, and encouraging workers
to access available supports as early
as possible.
How to prepare your workforce.
Help prepare your leaders and
peer supporters for the upcoming
disaster season with free online
Psychological First Aid training.
Supported by funding from the
Australian Government under the
Mental Health Supports for Bushfire
Affected Australians package, Phoenix
Australia is providing Psychological
First Aid training that has been
tailored to Emergency Services
Leaders who supported the 2019/20
Bushfire recovery efforts.
Find out more about PFA and
Trauma-informed Care training for
Emergency Services, and register
your interest here: https://www.
phoenixaustralia.org/resources/
bushfire-recovery/
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 14

PROTECTING THOSE WHO
SERVE TO PROTECT
WORKWEAR GROUP UNIFORMS DIGS
DEEP TO UNDERSTAND THE FRONTLINE
As one of Australia’s leading uniform providers, Workwear
Group Uniforms have years of experience servicing
Emergency Service organisations across ambulance,
fire, police and defence. With a long Australian history,
Workwear Group Uniforms has earned a reputation for
creating innovative uniform solutions that provide the
required functionality to perform the wearers’ tasks, without
compromising on style.
To our team, creating uniforms for the frontline is a privilege,
and one we don’t take lightly. We truly understand that a
uniform is more than colours and stripes, for us it is about
the garments providing the functionality the wearer needs.
It is through this sense of responsibility, that Workwear
Group Uniforms continues to be a trusted pair of hands
for organisations such as Fire Rescue NSW, South Australia
Ambulance Service and the Australian Defence Force.
Getting to know the wearer
Our team prides itself on its commitment to safety, and it is
at the core of every program we run. Our in-house resources
are in a constant state of research and development to
ensure we are offering our clients the latest in technology
and innovation. Working with career experts, Workwear
Group Uniforms has established a “Day in the Life” program,
whereby our team members go onsite and work directly
with the uniform wearers. This allows us to see firsthand the
environment the uniform is worn in, and understanding the
physical challenges in which our uniform needs to perform in.
Lead Industrial designer Mark Godoy says “a one-size-fits all
approach does not do the wearer justice. This is why it is so
important that we completely embed ourselves in what they
do day in and day out. Every truck, helicopter or station is
different and we have to take this into consideration for each
frontline service.”
Testing in the field
In addition to running these onsite programs, we work
with our partners to select a number of wearers to trial
new designs before it is rolled out, so we can get unfiltered
feedback from the source; do you feel the uniform design
takes into consideration your modesty needs? When
you perform your role, does the uniform limit you from
performing any operational activities? It is through this
feedback that we can make any final adjustments before we
roll it out to the entire workforce.
Those facing the front line should be confident the clothing
they wear provides the utmost safety that they themselves
deliver to others. The team at Workwear Group Uniforms
would like to thank each and every one of you that put
yourselves on the line, every day.
For more information on Workwear Group Uniforms and
our experience within the Emergency Service sector, please
contact enquiry@workweargroup.com.au
or call 1800 644 517.

FIT FOR
GREATNESS
At Workwear Group Uniforms we know the best uniforms empower greatness. It becomes
a badge of honour for each and every member. So together the organisation can excel.
That’s why we provide world class end-to-end uniform solutions which make our
customers lives easier. Because we know one size does not fit all.
We develop bespoke designs that enhance our client’s unique brand traits and are tailored
to the specific needs of each workforce. Uniforms that unite teams but differentiate
organisations, that make working for our client’s desirable and their competitors envious.
We dress each and every one of our customers in a Workwear Group uniform so they can
feel confident, perform at their best and find their greatness while doing it.
We are Workwear Group Uniforms and our purpose is to dress the world’s best
organisations for greatness.
Workwear Group Uniforms is a division of Workwear Group, a Wesfarmers business.
WORKWEARGROUP.COM.AU

To Serve and Protect
Bringing diversity to Australia’s emergency services
BY TRISH PRENTICE
Australia has an estimated 250,000
emergency service volunteers. They
are vital to the country’s capability
to respond to emergencies and disasters.
However, their contribution is under
threat.
Australia’s volunteer workforce is
shrinking.
Both the number of people involved in
formal volunteering and the number of
hours individuals are dedicating to these
roles have declined in recent years. Time
pressures on families and increasing work
commitments are playing a role, along
with growing individualism and a decline
in altruistic values, according to some. For
emergency service organisations that rely
on volunteers, this is a worrying trend.
These concerns have led to much strategic
thinking about how to boost volunteer
numbers. Emergency service volunteer
ranks have traditionally been filled by
“able-bodied, Anglo-Celtic, heterosexual
men,” with little representation from
Indigenous, culturally diverse or LGBTI
groups. Female volunteer numbers have
also been low, due to perceptions of an
‘old boys’ or ‘military’ culture in emergency
service organisations. Yet these
organisations are coming to see that to
remain viable and, as some would argue,
to operate effectively in their communities,
they will need to attract and retain a more
diversified volunteer pool.
The essay “ To Serve and Protect; Bringing
Diversity to Australia’s Emergency Services”
written by Trish Prentice tells the stories
of volunteers from diverse cultural and
religious backgrounds who have joined the
emergency service volunteer ranks.
It describes why they joined, what
they have gained from the experience
(and the challenges), and how their
organisations and the broader community
have benefited from their service. While
numbers of volunteers from diverse
backgrounds are still small these
individuals are paving the way for broader
institutional change.
This article is an extract from the original
essay. We have included two volunteer
stories however there are many more.
To read the entire essay visit:
https://scanloninstitute.org.au/publication/
serve-and-protect

Ahmad (Country Fire Authority)
Outside his local halal kebab
shop, Ahmad saw a poster
seeking CFA recruits. He’d
come to Australia from Sri
Lanka as an international
student and was keen to make
‘Australian’ friends, to learn
more about the culture and to
feel more integrated. Being
part of the CFA looked like
fun. The recruitment poster
featured refugees and showed
that anyone was welcome to
join, so in 2017 he signed up.
“I was attracted to the
adrenaline, the lights and
sirens,” he says. “We don’t
have anything like this back
home. I wanted to put back
into the community.”
Four years later, as a member
of the Narre Warren CFA
brigade, Ahmad tries to go to
as many callouts as possible
outside his work hours. The
brigade attends house and
industrial fires, car accidents
and other types of rescues.
Ahmad has fought a number
of bushfires. The 2019
Gippsland fires was a time
he’ll never forget:
I was deployed for five days to
East Gippsland. It was different.
It was scary. We were all anxious
but also ready and prepared
to fight the fire and help the
community. Everyone got
together. There were donations
of food for the firefighters. Local
businesses provided free food.
Everyone helped each other. As
much as that time was difficult
and scary, I think back to it. We
got messages from around the
world. I learned a lot. We went
there and did what we were
supposed to do.
Ahmad says his work as a
volunteer “is awesome for a
graduate, for getting into the
workforce, for learning how
to deal with stakeholders. You
start off learning skills that are
accredited, things like first
aid and firefighting skills, then
you learn a whole lot of soft
skills like communication,
working under pressure,
working in a team. These go
hand in hand with the
technical skills you gain. They
are both things you need in a
workplace.”
Ahmad knows a few other
Muslims in the CFA and a
few other ‘people of colour.’
He says this has been
helpful for drawing others in:
People don’t know if they can
join. They are quieter and
more laid back. They don’t
make the effort to inquire.
When you have people from
different backgrounds it’s
easier for people from those
cultures to approach them
and ask questions. People
have been able to have
conversations with me about
what it’s like.
For Ahmad, having people like
him from different cultural
backgrounds in the brigade
is crucial for the recruitment
process. His brother has even
joined. That’s part of CFA’s
recruitment strategy, he says.
“If you have one family
member join you can draw in
other family members as well.
It helps break down
those barriers.”
Zulfi joined the SES because,
coming from
Afghanistan at war, he was
mindful of what Australia
had given to him. He
wanted to give something in
return. He said to
himself, “Let’s do something
for these people.” So he did.
Four years into his service
Zulfi has been involved
in many emergencies, from
road accidents to fallen
trees. He also fought the
2019 Gippsland fires in
Victoria, and has taken part
in missing person searches.
These memories stay with
him.
I’ve done a lot of missing
person searches. Sometimes
the outcomes are not so
great but when you get a
good outcome it’s fantastic.
I’ve had times when I’ve
found someone and the
family have come and hugged
me. In those times I feel like
I’ve done something for the
country. I’ve helped someone
from here.
Most SES units are not
culturally diverse, but Zulfi’s
in Greater Dandenong is one
of the most diverse in the
state. Its 45 members speak
16 languages. Members use
this cultural capital in their
volunteer recruitment drives,
asking people in their own
language to join the SES.
Zulfi has found that people
in the Afghan community
value this approach. “When
we are speaking in their
language, they ask, ‘How did
you get into that? What do
you do?’ They are interested
in how I am giving back to
the community.” He also says
it creates trust. “If they see
someone like me, they see an
idol, they want to be like me.”
It’s led to others becoming
involved.
Yet Zulfi knows there can be
barriers to getting involved.
He found the application
process difficult because
of the language on the
application form. But
the unit helped him. “They
broke down the process
Zulfi (State Emergency Services)
into smaller segments,” he
says.
Zulfi says being part of the
SES has changed his life.
He’s developed new skills —
not least, how to use a
chain saw. He’s expanded his
social group, meeting
a range of people from
different backgrounds, many
of whom have become
friends. But giving back to the
community — “that’s the best
bit for me.”

DOES DIVERSITY MATTER?
Emergency service
organisations are grappling
with Australia’s cultural and
religious diversity. Strategic
thinking about how to draw
on this human capital and
how such engagement can
lead to better outcomes in
emergencies is underway.
Yet there has been some
resistance to change.
A program initiated some
years ago highlights some
of these barriers.
In 2000, the Fire and
Emergency Services Authority
of Western Australia (FESA)
decided to host a series
of workshops for staff on
understanding Islam. One
local unit wanted to talk to
new arrivals from Somalia,
Sudan, Iraq and Afghanistan
about emergency services
and hazards but were unsure
how to go about it without
being “clumsy.” Unit
members, wanting to build
relationships with Muslim
community leaders to deliver
safety messages, decided
to circulate an expression
of interest to gauge how
many staff might attend
professional development to
improve their understanding
of Islam. The organisers didn’t
expect the backlash. Emails
challenged the need for
the activity, since ‘standard
operating procedures’ (SOPs)
were applied equally to
all people, irrespective of
nationality, race or religious
beliefs.’ Other staff said, “Why
do I need to know anything
about someone’s religious
beliefs? I am saving lives — I
treat everyone the same.”
Another said, “Firefighters
deal with all people equally.
Nationality, race or religious
beliefs do not affect our
SOP’s…all the public we come
into contact with deserve to
be, and in fact are, treated
the same.”
The question of when and
how cultural diversity or
difference might play a
role in emergency service
work is controversial.
Some believe it plays little
role because individuals
are treated equally in an
emergency — preserving
life takes precedence above
all other considerations.
Others believe cultural
considerations should be
taken into account in an
emergency response. One
of these is Jared Taylor,
Executive Director of the
Queensland State
Emergency Service Volunteer
Association and a long
serving Queensland SES
volunteer:
We are all people and all
need to be treated equally
but because of differences in
culture, our diversity and our
individuality, we need to be able
to adapt. We need to be able to
treat our cultures slightly
differently, because they are all
different.
As an example of this, in some
cultures it is not appropriate
for men to be left alone with
women. Whether we agree or
disagree with that is not for us
to determine. But to be able
to reach those parts of our
community we need to have an
understanding of that because
at the end of the day we still
want these people to receive
help and to get on the flood
boat and be evacuated.
There are some communities
that are very focused on their
elderly and their wellbeing.
We need to have systems and
processes in place that allow
us to understand that and to
assist those cultures.
Likewise, language is also
important. We don’t all speak
English. We need to be able
to adapt to differences so we
can provide assistance. We
can’t expect in a time of crisis
for everyone to all of a sudden
speak the same language, that’s
not a reality.
We are all unique, we are all
diverse, we are all individuals,
and in order to reach
individuals we have to adapt
accordingly.
LOOKING FORWARD
Emergency service
organisations looking to
recruit more religiously or
culturally diverse volunteers
might do best to start with
the cultural capital that
already exists within the
AUTHOR: TRISH PRENTICE
Trish Prentice is a researcher
with a particular interest in
social cohesion and religious
communities. She has worked
in Australia and overseas in
the government, academic and
not-for profit sectors, including
in Cairo, Egypt, working for an
organisation specialising in
Arab-West Understanding and
in Geneva, Switzerland for a
human rights advocacy group.
Trish has managed
research projects in Indonesia,
Singapore and Pakistan and
written on various topics,
including Islamophobia and
Australian values from an
Islamic perspective.
Trish joined the Scanlon
Foundation Research Institute
in 2020.
organisation. If volunteers
know no one else from their
cultural background in the
organisation, it could be a
missed opportunity.
Each volunteer brings social,
educational or professional
networks that could facilitate
broader recruitment. Could
their story be used to
encourage others from a
similar cultural background
to join?
Word of mouth is a powerful
medium. Hearing about an
organisation from a friend,
relative or another social
contact is often perceived
as a “more credible and
trustworthy source of
information” than a brochure
or poster. Current volunteers
may have knowledge or
experience about how to
engage their community. An
“understanding of values,
community structures and…
pathways for communication”
can all be drawn on
to encourage further
volunteering within their
communities.
In the face of disasters and
emergencies, communities
need to band together,
then work together towards
recovery. Emergency
Management Victoria says
the emergency management
sector can “lead and
encourage this cohesion,
through embracing diversity
within its own organisations,
openly reaching out to
diverse groups in the
community, delivering
services that meet the needs
of the whole community, and
positively influencing
change more broadly.” By
becoming more inclusive
and diverse, emergency
management organisations
will strengthen their
connection to the
communities they serve.
These volunteers provide
powerful examples of
how individuals from
different backgrounds can
work together. Through
their service, they are not
only making a tangible
contribution to Australia
but paving the way for others
from culturally or religiously
diverse backgrounds to get
involved in emergency service
volunteering.
While emergency service
organisations face genuine
challenges as they seek to
become more representative,
the benefits of tapping into
Australia’s cultural resources
will set them up to meet
Australia’s emergency and
disaster response needs into
the future.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 20

Lets Talk
‘
Mental Health
with Associate Professor
Erin Cotter-Smith
Stuck somewhere between
surviving and thriving?
Welcome to the world
of languishing!
This is only a short column,
usually about 800 words. But for
this current issue, I kept putting off
writing it. Not because I don’t enjoy
writing – I do, or because I am not
interested in the topic – I am, but
quite simply because I couldn’t be
bothered.
I’ve been feeling that way quite a bit
lately; binge-watching Ted Lasso,
living in active wear despite hardly
ever being active, and laying in bed
each morning aimlessly scrolling
through social media.
Before COVID, this state of
wellbeing may have been
concerning, but as we continue
to navigate the pandemic, feeling
“blah” has almost become the new
mental health norm. The New York
Times released an article in April
this year discussing this feeling
– not happy, not sad – but
“languishing”.

What is languishing?
Coined by sociologist Corey Keyes,
languishing is the often-neglected
middle child of mental health, a nomans-land
between depression and
flourishing.
Keyes suggests that people
most likely to experience major
depression and anxiety disorders
following the pandemic aren’t
the ones experiencing symptoms
today: they’re those of us who
are languishing right now. New
evidence from healthcare workers
in Italy supports this, showing that
those who were languishing in the
spring of 2020 were three times
more likely than their flourishing
peers to be diagnosed with posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD).
Part of the problem with
languishing according to Adam
Grant, organisational psychologist
and author of the now viral New
York Times op-ed, is that when
you’re languishing, you might not
notice the dulling of delight or
the dwindling of drive. You don’t
catch yourself slipping slowly into
solitude; you’re indifferent to your
indifference.
How do we know if we’re
languishing?
Unlike depression or anxiety
disorder, languishing is a series
of emotions, not a mental health
condition.
“Languishing encompasses
distressing feelings of
stagnation, monotony,
and emptiness,” says
psychiatrist Leela R.
Magavi.
I know I’ve certainly felt
most of these emotions
in one capacity or another
throughout the pandemic,
but I also thought that
feeling like this would
be a temporary thing
– but I’ve been
living in Blah-town
for a while now,
with no clear end in
sight.
According to
previous
research by Keyes in 2002, about
12% of adults met the criteria
for languishing. We could expect
this number to have increased
dramatically during the pandemic.
One person who understands
languishing acutely is my friend
Jasper. Jasper is a healthcare
worker in the United States. He has
witnessed the devastating impact of
this virus from the frontline, treating
COVID patients, and eventually
becoming one himself. Having
recovered physically from the
effects of the virus, Jasper still finds
himself in what he dubs his “COVID
funk”.
“Physically, I am doing much better,
but emotionally, I don’t really feel
good or bad. I’m not as motivated or
as present as I used to be, and every
little task is much more draining
than before,” he says.
Then there’s Emma, whose new
normal is alternating between
feelings of fatigue and no
motivation to quick bursts of energy
when starting something new, only
to feel unmotivated again soon
after.
“I’ve found the perfect word to
describe how I am feeling lately,”
she recently shared with me. She
went on to describe how a colleague
had recently been asked how they
were feeling, replying that they were
“languishing”. “And I just thought
YES! That perfectly describes how I
am feeling!” said Emma.
Jasper agrees that languishing is the
perfect way to describe how he has
been feeling.
“I constantly feel like I’m either lazy
or making up excuses, but it’s just
this weird state of nothingness and
knowing that I’m not functioning at
my usual full capacity,” says Jasper.
What can we do about it?
We still have a lot to learn about
what causes languishing and what
we can do about it.
I have been trying to make small but
consistent changes to my life and
taking time to appreciate even the
smallest of wins. I look for projects
that have a realistic chance of being
Associate Professor
Erin Cotter-Smith
PhD, MPH, MClinEpi
Course Coordinator
School of Medical and
Health Sciences
Edith Cowan University
completed, because completion
yields a sense of satisfaction that
directly combats languishing. I also
give myself credit for what I have
achieved – even if it is watching
two seasons of Ted Lasso in one
weekend!
And as my friend Tiff Cook reminds
me, avoid the self-sabotage. Keep
setting clear, meaningful goals that
drive you forward and give you
hope and energy.
“Setting and achieving meaningful
goals provides us with a sense
that we are making progress, even
when it seems insignificant in the
moment. If those goals and hopes
are dashed, it can produce a whole
host of negative emotions,” says
Tiff.
One meaningful goal can be as
easy as trying to being honest when
someone asks, “How are you?”
Instead of going straight to our
default reply of saying “Great!” try
answering honestly. “Actually, I’m
languishing at the moment.”
How refreshing would that be!
As promised, here is my podcast
recommendation! If you are looking
for some great motivation to shift
you from languishing to flourishing,
check out Tiff Cook’s podcast
“Roll with the punches” on Apple
Podcasts.

FORTEM AUSTRALIA
SUPPORTING FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES
Celebrating the second birthday
of an incredible organisation
that places mental fitness,
community and connection at
it’s heart
Author: Brooke Turnbull

The date is October 10th, World Mental Health Day, the stage
is set and there’s a frisson of excitement in the air. An energy.
An energy that’s shared by everyone who has dedicated the
last two years to the team. This is no ordinary birthday, this
is a celebration, an anniversary. This is the culmination of
hard work, blood, sweat and tears and a serious amount of
teamwork. This is the second anniversary of the opening of
Fortem Australia, a not-for-profit that supports the mental
health and wellbeing for first responders and their families.
Fortem Australia has a range of wellbeing activities on offer; Cooking Class
Since opening, Fortem Australia have had over 12,000 people
within the emergency services register for the wellbeing
activities on offer. Approximately 280 people have accessed
clinical support services and an overwhelming 93% of
participants have reported an improvement in their mental
health since joining Fortem.
John Bale, Managing Director of Fortem Australia, says “Our
work only serves to highlight the deep need that remains.”
And with first responders still reporting some of the highest
rates of suicide or self-harm per year, that need has never
been stronger.
Children’s Art Class
A recent study, by Charles Sturt University on the mental
health and wellbeing of first responders during the pandemic,
found that the proportion of respondents with severe
depression and anxiety was 10 and 4 times higher than
the general population. Large scale emergency events over
the last two years such as the 2019/2020 bush fires, the
COVID-19 pandemic, and flooding in New South Wales have
added to the emotional load that first responders have dealt
with on top of their usual role and duties. It is no wonder that
these figures from CSU exist.
The mental fitness and wellbeing of personnel within an
industry like the emergency services, is not just an individual
responsibility, but a community effort. One of the driving
forces of mental health that Mr Bale speaks of is “the
powerhouse role that family and social connections play
in wellbeing and mental fitness.” This is one of the biggest
components within the Fortem Australia ethos. Just as these
people who work tirelessly within our communities to keep us
safe and well, we must, in part, also come together to do the
same for them.
Horseriding
Fortem Australia has highlighted not only how traumatic
events impact the first responder, but also their family and
support networks. This is why their family support services
are just as important as their first responder support services.
Stand Up Paddleboarding

The Fortem Australia Transition &
Employment Program aims to recognise
those different skills and capabilities
that first responders aquire within the
job and the difficult path of navigating
the end of your first response career.
The first phase of this program will
focus on supporting the transition of
Australian Border Force, Australian
Federal Police and State-based law
enforcement agencies.
Managing Director of Fortem Australia, John Bale, speaking to volunteers at the NSWRFS
The fact that families and support
people of first responders have made
up the over 12,000 people that have
accessed Fortem services since it’s
inception is a testament to just how
powerful it is to ensure that we’re
looking after first responders and their
families in every way possible.
Fortem means “brave” in Latin, and
what a perfect word to sum up the work
that first responders and emergency
service personnel do every day. Bravery
is just par for the course. Running into
the trouble that others would run away
from is half the job of a first responder,
and that can impact a person in
different ways and at different times.
So how can we show up for them?
One of Fortem Australia’s most
successful community initiatives is
the Thank A First Responder Day, with
the first one being held in June 2020.
This day celebrates and acknowledges
the power that a simple word can
do for the people around us, as well
as ourselves. Thank a FIrst Responder
Day magnifies the importance of
community and the impact this has
on keeping our emergency service
workers and first responders feeling
valued. As a community this day gives
us the opportunity to pause, reflect and
feel grateful for their hard work and
dedication. In 2022 the day will fall on
June 8th and will be celebrated on the
second Wednesday in June each year
after.
August 2021 was also a big month for
Fortem Australia, as it saw the launch of
their Transition & Employment Program,
a huge boon for the not-for-profit. As
Fortem’s approach to mental wellbeing
is completely holistic, it makes sense
that an employment and transition
program should be welcomed wholeheartedly
into the fold.
Working within first response and
emergency services ensures that
you are equipped with a different set
of skills. Not just practical ones that
are job specific, but the subtle skills
of communication, negotiation and
the understanding of walking a fine
line of balance in a fraught situation.
The program is run by a highly skilled
team who have already traversed
the career transition path and have
specialised training to help others
navigate the ending of a career in
service. The program is personalised
and supported by Fortem’s wellbeing
activities and clinical support
services. Along with leading Australian
companies across the country, this
intitiative is dedicated to creating jobs,
training, education, upskilling and
volunteering opportunities. Mr Bale
encourages “personnel considering
their future to make contact and we can
work together on your next steps.”
Thanks to Fortem Australia there are
thousands of first responders and
emergency service personnel and their
families who have access to a unique
support system. From the provision of
clinical support, mental health tools,
and managing employment transitions,
Fortem Australia is helping to forge an
industry for the future that is mentally
fit and resilient through the power of
community and connection. Happy 2nd
Birthday Fortem Australia!
To find out more about Fortem
Australia and the support they offer
head to www.fortemaustralia.org.au
PR
ENGINEERING
& SERVICES
P&R Engineering Services Pty Ltd
Engineering Consultants
0439388912
144 Bray Road LAWTON 4501 QLD
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 26

Find the Cultural burning in southern Australia illustrated booklet and posters at
www.bnhcrc.com.au/resources/cultural-burning-southern-australia

Stories of cultural burning in
southern Australia
By Nathan Maddock, Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC
New research-backed storytelling resources are helping
fire agencies and land management departments better
understand cultural burning.

The Cultural burning in southern
Australia illustrated booklet and
poster series – accessible at www.
bnhcrc.com.au/resources/culturalburning-southern-australia
– amplify
Indigenous people’s perspectives
on cultural burning by sharing six
personal stories of what burning
means. The stories showcase the
diversity of this cultural practice and
the common elements shared across
Australia and are accompanied by
stunning illustrations.
Four of the contributions centre on
burning one’s own Country across
southern Australia, while two stories
reflect on experiences in academic
and government roles that aim to
learn from and support Traditional
Owners and cultural burning. The
stories are shared from members of
the Noongar, Gunditjmara, Palawa,
Ngunnawal, Bundjalung/Woonarua
and Keytej peoples.
Dean Freeman (ACT Parks and
Conservation Service) and Bhiamie
Williamson (Australian National
University) provided cultural oversight
An excerpt of Aunty Carol’s story. For the full story, see the booklet and poster.

An excerpt of Vanessa Cavanagh’s story. For the full story, see the booklet and poster.
in bringing the collection together,
as led by Dr Jessica Weir (Western
Sydney University) with support from
Dr Yasmin Tambiah (WSU), through
the Hazard, culture and Indigenous
communities project. The Aboriginal
artwork featured is by Wiradjuri artist
Lani Balzan, and the story illustrations
are by Nicole Burton from Petroglyph
Studios.
Dr Adam Leavesley, project end-user
from the ACT Parks and Conservation
Service explained that it is critical for
fire and land management agencies
to continue learning more about
cultural burning.
“As fire and land management
agencies in southern Australia,
we need to continue to build
relationships with Traditional
Owners. These resources will help
a broader range of land managers
with a starting point for learning and
engagement on cultural burning,” Dr
Leavesley said.
“This was the genesis for these
resources to be produced, as we
knew that agency practitioners
wanted and needed more guidance
and knowledge about cultural
burning to partner and engage with
Indigenous groups, but there is a lack
of resources to assist with this.”
Dean Freeman, end-user and
Wiradjuri man explained the pride
Indigenous people feel about cultural
burning, “If I couldn’t be connected
with my past, I don’t think I’d be here
today,” Mr Freeman said. “The feeling
to burn with your family, that’s the
ultimate. That’s how we heal.”
Also included in the booklet are
10 cultural burning principles, coauthored
by the Indigenous authors
involved in the project.
Dr Weir explained that the purpose
of these cultural burning principles
was to provide guidance to a broad
audience unfamiliar with cultural
burning.
“These principles help articulate
some of the core matters at hand,
which Aboriginal leaders have been
raising for generations. These voices
can be hard to hear when they are
the minority in the room, and so
different from the dominant culture
of governments and universities.
“We hope the Cultural burning in
southern Australia booklet and
posters will help address this by
providing the opportunity to see
a different viewpoint, to stand in
someone else’s shoes. This is critical
in developing more respectful
relationships between Indigenous
people and non-Indigenous people.
We are all living together on Country.”
Find the Cultural burning in southern
Australia illustrated booklet and
posters at www.bnhcrc.com.au/
resources/cultural-burning-southernaustralia.
You can also read Dr Weir’s blog
about the collaborative process
and value of the resources at www.
bnhcrc.com.au/news/blogpost/
jweir/2021/amplifying-indigenouscultural-burning-voices.

ON THE FRONTLINE
Child Safety
This article discusses child abuse and content that
may be distressing for some readers. Please access
the resources at the end of the article as needed.
Written by Rasa Piggott
Lecturer in Paramedicine
Registered Paramedic
Registered Nurse
Working as an emergency paramedic quickly acquaints
one with the misguided but well-meaning question;
“what is the worst thing you’ve ever seen?” Apparently,
the human condition renders us ever curious of trauma and
tragedy.
For many health professionals, this question carries the potential
to conjure memories that we have worked hard to maintain a
psychologically healthy relationship with. These memories are not
the kind that one would necessarily choose to recount outside
of a professional debrief or psychologist’s office. It also seems
unkind to use another human’s story of misery to line the pockets
of what can turn into chest-beating gossip.
Interestingly, this question leans on the outdated idea that
paramedic-led care is trauma-centric. In reality, paramedicled-care
has long since shifted away from its first-aid trauma
and ambulance transport origins. The profession’s modern
societal purpose and scope is actively evolving into a space
of evidence-based primary, acute and emergency healthcare
provision. Modern paramedic-led healthcare is designed
to comprehensively assess and safety-net the community’s
psychosocial, emotional and all-encompassing physical health.
When I contemplate the aforementioned question, my mind
recounts patient interactions that encompass psychosocial
health. Those heart-breaking interfaces with society’s forgotten,
lost, mistreated and/or defeated. Sobering reminders of how
we are all but one circumstance away from hardship. Patient
interactions that have involved recognising and responding to
indicators of child-abuse are heavily weighted in this memory
pool.
The World Health Organisation defines child maltreatment as
“the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years
of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional illtreatment,
sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or
other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to
the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context
of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power” (WHO, 2020). In
Australia, subtypes of child abuse and neglect have been clearly
categorised as: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual
abuse and exposure to family violence.
In 2017 – 2018, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
reported approximately 26,400 children under the age of 12
in Australia (excluding New South Wales) as having one or
more child protection notification substantiated. 59% of these
substantiations comprised emotional abuse.
Historically, paramedic education hasn’t strongly focussed on
recognising and responding to human rights violations, including
child abuse. Today, University curriculums and organisationally
led education are working to address this gap. The Royal
Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
highlighted a national need to improve societal monitoring and
response to child safety concerns. Additional recommendations
handed down by The Commission included the need to empower
individuals to make complaints, as well as increase education and
training on reporting requirements and schemes.
Manifestations of child abuse vary between individuals and
the type of abuse experienced. Physical, behavioural and
developmental symptomology are all potential manifestations
of abuse. Behavioural and developmental symptomology can
be easily overlooked secondary to presentation non-specificity,
ambiguity or assessor cognitive bias. Examples include hyperreactivity,
agitation, passivity, withdrawal, sleeping difficulties,
developmental delays, eating disorders, substance abuse and
self-harm.
31
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

Equally as easy to overlook are
psychosomatic or somatisation
symptoms. Following childhood trauma,
somatic symptoms that significantly
interfere with daily functioning and
negatively affect social and emotional
well-being can present. “Somatization
is defined as the presence of a physical
symptom inconsistent with a clear
physical illness” (Cozzi, G., Lucarelli,
A., Borrometi, F. et al 2021). Common
somatisation symptomology secondary
to abuse include abdominal pain,
headaches and general aches and
pains. Children who have experienced
sexual abuse experience higher rates of
somatisation symptomology relative to
children who have not.
Any adult member of the Australian
public who, on reasonable grounds,
suspects that a young person is at risk of
abuse should report it to the designated
authority in their state or territory.
Processes vary between jurisdictions.
Certain cohorts within each Australian
jurisdiction are mandated to report
suspicion of abuse or neglect of a young
person to government authorities.
Paramedics working within Ambulance
Services have privileged access to
people’s lives behind closed doors. This
unique position provides an opportunity
for paramedics to scan for indicators of
child abuse during every young-person
interaction. We need to capitalise on
this unique position and its potential
to benefit child safety by ensuring
paramedics have access to evidencebased,
routine education regarding
child abuse indicators and reporting
systems. Ambulance Service structure
and culture need to ensure, and in fact
encourage paramedics to approach their
role holistically and comprehensively
so that they can adhere to this aspect
of their role. KPIS and internal workings
that reflect a bygone era of Ambulance
Services being a transport service don’t
allow for this. Additionally, working to
streamline referral pathways and clarify
paramedic responsibility surrounding
the reporting of child abuse will help
paramedics to appropriately respond to
child abuse indicators.
Mandatory Reporting Information for
different jurisdictions can be found
here: https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/
default/files/documents/
03_2016/child-abuse-andneglect-v1-aust-gov.pdf
RESOURCES
If conscious and routine
assessment of child abuse
indicators is not standard
practice, manifestations
of child abuse will
inevitably be overlooked.
Rasa Piggott
kidshelpline.com.a
www.lifeline.org.au
www.actforkids.com.au
www.amf.org.au
bravehearts.org.au
www.partnerspeak.org.au

When it comes to preparing for disaster
there are 4 distinct types of people.
Which one are you?
Authors:
Agathe Tiana Randrianarisoa
PhD student and Senior Researcher,
RMIT University
John Richardson
Honorary Fellow, Child and Community
Wellbeing Unit,
Beyond Bushfires Research Program,
The University of Melbourne
First published on The Conversation

Imagine it’s summer in
Australia and a bushfire
is bearing down on your
suburb. Are you the
pragmatic type – you’ve
swapped phone numbers
with the neighbours,
photocopied your ID and
have your emergency
plan at the ready? Or
are you the sentimental
type – you’ve backed up
the family photos but
forgotten to insure the
house, or don’t have an
evacuation plan for the
cat?
Our research out today shows when it
comes to getting ready for disasters,
there are four types of people. And
this matters, because good disaster
preparedness doesn’t just help people
during and immediately after a disaster –
it can also mean a quicker recovery.
The research, commissioned by
Australian Red Cross, examined the
experiences of 165 people who lived
through a disaster such as fire and flood
between 2008 and 2019. We identified
a number of steps people wished
they’d taken to prepare for disaster,
such as protecting sentimental items,
planning where the family should meet if
separated and better managing stress.
The Black Summer bushfires, this year’s
New South Wales floods, the storms
around Melbourne and even COVID-19
remind us how disasters can disrupt
people’s lives. Hopefully, examining the
hard-won lessons of those who’ve lived
through the worst life can throw at us
will help individuals and communities
better prepare and recover from these
events.
Our key findings
The survey questions focused on
preparedness actions people took
before a disaster, their experience of a
disaster and recovery.
Participants were 18 years or older and
had experienced a disaster between
January 2008 and January 2019. This
allowed time for people to experience
the challenges and complexity of the
recovery process.
Among our key findings were:
• Feeling prepared leads to a
reduction in stress when dealing
with the recovery process. And the
less people are stressed, the better
their recovery up to ten years after
a disaster.
• Generally, the more people do to
get prepared, the more they feel
prepared. However, one in five
respondents who reported not
feeling prepared had undertaken
actions that should have made
them feel prepared. And 3% said
they were prepared when they
hadn’t undertaken any action,
which mostly comes from the lack
of knowledge of the most efficient
preparedness actions.
• The source of advice matters.
More of those who received
preparedness advice from
Australian Red Cross – either
directly or through its Get Ready
app – had recovered. Those who
had no preparedness training or
received advice from family or
friends were least likely to report
having felt in control during the
emergency.
3 ways to prepare
Three distinct groups of preparation
actions emerged, which we outline
below.
Protect my personal matters:
• develop strategies to manage stress
levels
• protect or back up items of
sentimental value
• make copies and protect important
documents such as identification
papers, wills, financial documents
• make plans for reunification of
family if separated during an
emergency.
Build my readiness:
• identify sources of information to
help prepare for and respond to an
emergency
• find out what hazards might affect
their home and plan for them
• use preparedness materials such as
bushfire survival plans.
Be pragmatic:
• make a plan for pets/livestock/
animals
• swap phone numbers with
neighbours
• take out property insurance.
Those who had taken action to prepare
for disaster were asked what other
actions they wished they’d taken.
The top answer was having copies of
important documents, such as ID and
financial papers, that are potentially
complicated to replicate and may be
needed during recovery.
The full range of answers is on the next
page:
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Which preparedness type are you?
Our research showed four types
of persona emerged in terms of
preparing for a disaster. Hopefully,
identifying these groups means
preparedness messaging can in future
be customised, based on people’s
characteristics.
Have a look at the graphic below – is
there a type you identify with the
most?
Recovery is complex
Our survey asked if people felt they
had recovered from the disaster.
Importantly, we did not propose a
standard definition of recovery, which
allowed respondents to define their
recovery in their own way. We then
sought to determine how a person’s
disaster preparation affected recovery.
Nearly 18% of respondents said they
had not recovered at the time of the
survey. Surprisingly, 86% of those
said they took action to get prepared
(compared to 76% of those who had
recovered). But those who had not
recovered were more likely to feel their
preparation actions were not enough.
Importantly, 86% also experienced
high levels of stress during the
recovery, compared to 60% who had
already recovered at the time of the
survey.
Interestingly, the proportion of
respondents who found the recovery
process slightly stressful, somewhat
stressful or extremely stressful are
comparable (15%, 16% and 16%
respectively). However, four out of ten
respondents reported high levels of
stress during the recovery.
The Conversation/author provided data, CC BY-ND
What’s more, a greater proportion
of those who had not yet recovered
required government assistance after
the disaster (71%), relative to those
who felt they had recovered (38%).
In the group of those not yet
recovered, people earning less
than A$52,000 a year were overrepresented.
Ready for anything
Our research shows being prepared
can help reduce the long-term impacts
of a disaster. The level of disaster
preparedness in the Australian
population is traditionally low, and
so it’s important to demonstrate the
benefits to ensure more people get
ready for emergencies.
Preparedness programs should have
a greater focus on preparing for the
long-term impacts of a disaster. And
these programs should differ based
on people’s characteristics and they
type of preparation support they need,
particularly focusing on those who have
less capacity to prepare and recover
from the disruption of disaster.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 36

Book Review
There are some incredible books out there about the trials and tribulations,
heartbreak and satisfaction of working within the emergency services sector.
We aim to bring you some great recommendations within each issue. If you
have a book to recommend for our reviews, get in touch.
HERE HOLD MY DRINK AND WATCH THIS
Tales from the lighter side of paramedicine,
adventure and life
Author: Sunny Whitfield
With a medley of experiences from the earliest days as a student
paramedic, qualified officer, humanitarian health assistant, and high
altitude medical officer, this book has underpinned the story of an
everyday paramedic. Sunny is an accomplished paramedic, academic,
writer and expedition leader.
Whilst thousands of ambulance officers, emergency medical technicians
and paramedics criss-cross their way through communities around the
world to provide support to people, ‘Here Hold My Drink and Watch This’
has captured a rare insight into the real people of paramedicine. Written
from a down to earth perspective, Sunny brings to life the challenging
and confronting work paramedics are faced with on a daily basis yet also
finds some humour and consolation amongst the confusion and chaos.
We hope you enjoy this excerpt from “Here Hold My Drink And Watch This
– Tales from the lighter side of paramedicine, adventure and life”.
The rain was so intense on the drive
out that we could only see a few
meters in front of us. Sam was driving
the ambulance and I was attempting
to plot our route, but the debris and
downed powerlines made it rather
challenging. For the last week or so,
a large cyclone had been lashing
the coastal suburbs. Although it had
recently weakened to a rain depression,
the weather was still unpredictable
with high winds and rain, and our
community was directly in its path.
Halfway to scene we were met by a
returning ambulance crew who warned
us of more hazards ahead. Although
there were the occasional breaks in the
downpour, the gusts of wind were so
strong that our ambulance was rocking
as we crawled through the suburbs.
Somehow, through the low visibility and
torrential rain we located our patient.
A young lad was lying in the gutter
drenched. He had evidently crashed his
bike whilst storm chasing, dislocated his
shoulder and was now unable to get up.
Sam manoeuvred the ambulance so the
side sliding door was alongside where
the young lad was currently lying in a
puddle, and I jumped out to retrieve
him. I was drenched in seconds. He
stood with assistance and limped up
the two steps of the ambulance and
into the back. Whilst I assisted him
onto the stretcher, he called out in
pain. I was still standing as Sam began
to slowly retrace our route in when
suddenly he slammed the brakes on so
hard that I was taken off my feet.
My eyes were stinging, and I knew
instantly that the pain medication I
was preparing had splashed my face.
However, even more concerning was
the sudden ache in my butt cheek.
Although I was now in the front cab of
the ambulance resting uncomfortably
on the gear stick awkwardly, Sam failed
to even acknowledge me and seemed
preoccupied.
“Hoooollyshiteeeee” was all he could
muster. Turning to face Sam, I followed
his gaze outside and right there in
front of the ambulance was a silent yet
descending twister. Although it had
not “touched down”, it was already
This excerpt was taken with
permission from, “Here Hold My
Drink And Watch This – Tales from
the lighter side of paramedicine,
adventure and life,” a new book
written by an Australian Paramedic
Sunny Whitfield. The book is now
available on Amazon, Booktopia,
Barnes and Nobel, Kobo, and Apple
iBook’s.
Each paperback sold will provide
funds for someone in a rural
community in Nepal access to up
to a year’s supply of clean and safe
drinking water, and when nearly
80% of illness in low GDP countries
is related to poor water quality and
inadequate sanitation conditions,
it is a vital first step in improving
community health. We reckon that
is a pretty good reason to show your
support and grab a copy today. Read
a good yarn, support a good cause.
CLICK TO BUY
kicking up a large debris field below
it. We watched in awe struck terror
as it descended from the skies. I had
never seen anything so captivating
yet terrifying. It descended lower and
lower and when it hit the ground, the
silence was shattered. The roar was like
nothing I had heard before. Backyard
sheds splintered like match sticks, cars
smashed against trees and branches
and powerlines came crashing down in
showers of sparks.
It was mesmerising and terrifying,
chaotic and unpredictable, and
all we could do was watch in utter
amazement. Sam reached for the radio
but as the twister closed its distance,
I yelled for him to reverse. Sam gave
it a good go, but the ambulance
seemed to be stuck out of fear itself.
Had either of us realised that the gear
stick I was sitting on had been bumped
into neutral it may have helped us
37
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

trouble-shoot the problem, but it’s fair
to say our ability to critically analyse
the current situation was somewhat
diminished, if not totally obliterated.
With every useless rev of the engine,
the twister seemed to get closer and
closer, the ambulance started shaking
violently and the roar was deafening.
As we accepted our impeding sudden
demise, the twister seemed to take
pity on us, change its course and move
down the street and out of sight.
The stillness and silence were suddenly
deafening. Sam was gripping the
steering wheel in utter silence; I am
sure his handprint impressions were
permanently left on the steering wheel
that evening. I was the first to exit the
ambulance via the rear sliding door and
I sort of half fell out and half stumbled.
The rain had ceased, and a gust of wind
hit my sweaty face.
“What the hell was that” I said to myself.
“Heeellllllllp” came a cry from a nearby
house now missing its roof. People
were calling for help and being the only
emergency service in the area, we were
like a beacon for people to approach
us. Still shaking, Sam gathered enough
composure to call in a short expletive
riddled sit-rep that triggered an allservice
response to the tornado. Weird
day. When I had gathered my own
composure, I started to go house to
house to check on people. A fire crew
and another ambulance had been in
the local area but missed the twister
by only a few blocks. They arrived and
began assisting in the house to house
search which gave Sam and I a moment
to take stock of the last thirty minutes.
“You OK Batman?” I asked Sam. He had
his hands in his lap and was staring
vacantly into a cane field opposite.
“Ah, yea, um, you, well ah s**t, I’m just
hungry big fella, but geeze,” he offered.
The on-scene commander soon arrived
and instructed us to transport the
same kid we had in the back of the
ambulance (whoops, I had forgotten
about him), into hospital and then log
an incident report and go home. Fine
with me.
Had I known that over fifty hours later
I would still be in the same uniform
with some donated fluoro pink footy
socks without my ambulance and being
rescued by a helicopter with Sam, I
would have just gone straight home
that evening. But hindsight is a curious
thing.
Doctors dedicate their lives to
saving lives and make life-or-death
decisions daily, but they’re often so
busy taking care of others that they
neglect to take care of themselves.
Burnout is running rife throughout
healthcare and something needs to
change – fast.
In the new book, The Heart-
Centredness of Medicine (Publicious
Book Publishing $32.99), Dr. Olivia
Ong provides a practical guide to
combatting burnout. As a result of
an accident that left her paralysed
from the waist down, Dr Olivia found
out exactly what it’s like to be on
the other side of the healthcare
system. She spent years as a patient
in hospitals and rehab facilities in
an attempt to regain some of the
capabilities that had been torn away
from her. This experience inspired
her to address the unspoken toll that
doctors bear when they don’t find
the support they need to stay well.
Drawing upon extensive experience
as a pain physician, coach and
speaker, along with Dr Olivia’s own
experience with burnout, The Heart-
Centredness of Medicine shares
the key principles, strategies, and
heart-based tools that professionals
can use to help manage stress and
improve your life.
You can follow Dr Oliva Wong
through the following links:
www.drolivialeeong.com
Facebook - www.facebook.com/
drolivaleeweeong
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/
droliviaong/
Book Review
THE
HEART-CENTREDNESS
OF MEDICINE
Author: Dr Olivia Ong
Known as the Heart-Centred
Doctor, Melbourne-based
Dr Olivia Ong is a medical
leadership coach, pain physician,
author and speaker.
After a severe car accident in
2008 when she was told she
would never walk again, she
defied the odds and was able to
walk just two years later.
Dr Ong’s global mission is to
help fellow doctors suffering
from emotional and physical
burnout to discover the benefits
of mindful self-compassion and
creative development for both
themselves and their patients
and runs programs helping
doctors transform their lives
from burnout to brilliance.
Through her public and private
practice, Dr Ong empowers
patients with medical and
holistic pain management
treatments to manage chronic
pain, neurological disabilities
and/or rehabilitation so they can
live fulfilling lives. This is her first
book.
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 38

Enabling Access to Emergency Services in
Australia’s Most Isolated Communities
Communications are a necessity for emergency and non-emergency support
services alike. Residents of isolated indigenous communities are some of the
most disadvantaged in receiving adequate access to emergency and government
services. APN’s Community-wide communications services are enabling indigenous
communities to get support like never before.

Indigenous communities in isolated,
remote parts of Australia find
themselves in a unique position.
Disconnected from metropolitan and
regional emergency, government
and public health services, increased
reliance is placed on local community
support to take the place of traditional
emergency services such as police, fire
and ambulance.
In addition, the transition of government
services towards an entirely digital model
necessitates community members have
reliable internet to access government
platforms and assistance.
APN’s solar-powered WiFi and Phone Units provide Emergency Comms, Lighting & Navigational Aids at RFDS landing strips
The absence of telecommunications
infrastructure in these communities, the
lack of fixed phone or internet services
coupled with poor or non-existent
mobile coverage, is a significant barrier
to engaging both local community-based
and national support services.
Australian Private Networks (APN) is
an Australian owned-and-operated
specialist in regional and remote
communications who has been at the
forefront of new advances in remote
community communications for nearly
20 years. Working with local councils and
community stakeholders, APN is often
engaged to design projects which can
secure funding through state and federal
grant programs.
For over a decade, APN has been
developing solutions for connecting
remote indigenous communities. In
2008, the Department of Prime Minister
& Cabinet commissioned APN to design,
develop, install and maintain Remote
Community Telecommunications (RCT)
for Indigenous Communities (formerly
Indigenous Communications Program or
ICP Telephone solutions).
APN designed, constructed, and
installed 301 WiFi telephones in remote
Indigenous Communities across Australia
in 2009, 2010, and 2011. These were
designed and built by APN using its
own engineers and technicians at its
Melbourne facility. They have enabled
communities to access emergency
services like ‘000’ through year-round
WiFi and phone services often for the
first time.
More recently, APN has supplied a similar
solution to the Royal Flying Doctor
Service, which provides remote landing
strips with WiFi and phone services, in
addition to weather information and
external airstrip lighting to assist RFDS
aeromedical staff.
Indoor WiFi receivers installed in homes
and community buildings provide indoor
WiFi coverage, while external WiFi Mesh
repeaters in specially chosen locations
ensure ubiquitous WiFi coverage
outdoors across the Community.
Able to be powered by mains or solar
power, these solutions can be installed
in places without a continuous mains
power supply.
Each indoor WiFi receiver includes a
telephone that allows for extension-toextension
calls within the Community
and calls to external landlines and mobile
phones free of charge.
These phones allow residents instant
access to local police and other
community-based support networks
without physically travelling to the
services’ headquarters to get assistance.
They often include distinct features for
indigenous community requirements,
including access to government websites
(.gov.au) without purchasing data and
content filtering maintained by local
elders.
Community WiFi networks can also be set
up to provide free access to local content
servers, so indigenous Communities can
digitise their photos, videos and stories,
to preserve and pass on their tribe’s
history to future generations.
APN provides ongoing training in digital
literacy and service support to these
communities and maintenance and
servicing of their hardware to ensure the
Community can take full advantage of
the solution into the future.
This versatile solution is modular and
scalable, with additional APN backhaul
services able to be added to support
greater bandwidth requirements,
and more repeaters to support new
residences or extend the outdoor WiFi
coverage further.
Organisations can also configure the
community-wide service for other
uses, such as Public Emergency
Communications over large distances
or as a method of providing
communications in case of emergency
to isolated places of interest or road
accident blackspots, where mobile
reception is unavailable.
APN offers a range of solutions to
support emergency services, including
portable services that provide WiFi
connectivity through a satellite
connection anywhere in Australia.
Easily set up using a ground-mount
or fixed to a trailer or vehicle, APN’s
portable service offers remote
connectivity that is transportable
anywhere you need it.
Learn more about APN’s remote
communications solutions on their
website or by contacting their Corporate
Solutions team on (03) 8566 8312 or
emailing corporatesales@apn.net.au.
APN has also been designing, installing
and maintaining Community-wide
WiFi and phone services, including
recent projects jointly funded by State
and Federal Governments through
the Australian Government’s Regional
Connectivity Program (RCP Program).
External repeaters offer outdoor WiFi coverage across the entire community (left), while indoor units provide WiFi service
as well as a fixed telephone service and USB power outlet (right)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
In each edition of the Australian Emergency Services Magazine we
feature a profile on a person, team, partnership, squad or unit to
showcase their unique contribution to the emergency services industry.
If you would like to be featured or know someone who deserves some
recognition get in touch with our team.
THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical
organisations globally, providing extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service
to people who live, work, and travel across the 7.69 million square kilometres of Australia.
Australia is a vast and expansive
country, 7.69 million square kilometers
is a lot of space to cover when it comes
to providing services to the population.
For those Australians who live and
work in remote locations, access to
health services is limited and this lack
of access can be life threatening. If
something goes wrong, it can go terribly
wrong and help is a long way away.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of
Australia (RFDS) is the saving grace of
these communities, providing a range
of health services such as telehealth
consultations, a fly-in fly-out GP and
Nurse clinics, and emergency and nonemergency
patient transfers.
The service was established by
Reverend John Flynn who was
commissioned by the Presbyterian
Church to look after the needs of those
in the outback. Reverend John Flynn is
the man on our 20 dollar note and the
note itself tells part of the story of the
Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia.
Reverend Flynn was witness to the
plight of those pioneers in the outback
and bush communities and wanted to
provide them with a “mantle of safety”.
The RFDS was born out of Flynn’s vision,
the story of a stockman, Jimmy Darcy
and an idea from a young Lieutenant,
Clifford Peel.
Lieutenant Peel wrote to Flynn
suggesting aviation could help to
provide services in these remote
locations. Peel was killed in the war the
following year, unaware his idea would
go on to help so many future lives.
41
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

Jimmy Darcy was a stockman from the
Kimberley who suffered internal injuries
when he fell during a cattle stampede.
Darcy had to be transported to
Halls Creek which was a long and
uncomfortable 12 hour dray ride away.
Darcy would need surgery, however
that was impossible as the closest
doctor was thousands of miles away.
The postmaster at Halls Creek was
only trained in first aid. Through
communication via morse code he had
to perform surgery on Darcy using a
pen knife under instruction from a Dr
Holland far away in Perth. Incredibly
Jimmy survived the surgery, however
required further care.
Dr Holland made the trip from Perth
to Halls Creek, which took almost two
weeks and many mishaps along the
way. When he finally arrived, Jimmy
Darcy had died only hours earlier.
It was this story that really cemented
the idea and the need for the Royal
Flying Doctor Service in the heart and
mind of Reverend Flynn.
The service was originally called the
AMS (Australian Medical Service) when
it first began experimentally in 1928. It
was renamed the Flying Doctor Service
in 1942 and the term Royal was added
in 1955.
Since it’s small but strong beginning
with only one plane, the RFDS has
grown to be one of the largest and
most comprehensive aeromedical
organisation in the world.
Today the RFDS has a fleet of 79 aircraft
with 23 air bases throughout the
country. Over the last year they have
had a total of 337,686 patient contacts
made through RFDS clinics, aeromedical
transports and telehealth consultations
and have flown a total of 28,953,688
km’s just in a year!
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a
completely unique emergency service
catering for a completely unique set
of needs in remote communities.
The RFDS are supported by the
Commonwealth, State and Territory
governments, however they are a notfor-profit
who rely heavily on donations
and support from the community in
order to maintain their service and be
able to purchase the latest in medical
equipment.
If you would like to support this
incredible organisation you can head
to the website for more information.
You can also listen to the Royal Flying
Doctor Service Podcast for more
incredible stories.
www.flyingdoctor.org.au
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www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 42

TRAVEL
EMERGENCY
Breaks
Words: Brooke Turnbull
K’GARI
(FRASER ISLAND) QLD
Essential travel used to have a
completely different meaning than what
it does today. Pre-pandemic, essential
travel was the type of travel that you
had on your bucket list. Well, with the
country on the verge of opening up, we
think it’s about time we went back to this
original meaning.
Travel is essential for new life
experiences, it’s essential for mental
health reasons and it’s essential for
connection, both to country and to
people. Haven’t we all missed it!
This month we’re heading to an
incredible island destination in
Queensland; K’gari.
K’gari is the traditional name for Fraser
Island and is pronounced ‘gurri’. The
name very aptly means paradise as told
in a beautiful Dreamtime story by the
traditional custodians, the Butchulla
people.
Whether you’re a luxury traveller or like
the more adventurous side of life, K’gari
will have you wishing you had longer to
explore, no matter how long you booked
for.
Famous shipwreck,
the S.S. Maheno beached
near The Pinnacles.

Location:
K’gari is located about 3 hours north of
Brisbane. While difficult to travel there
without a car (so if you’re coming from
interstate we recommend a 4WD hire)
there are plenty of companies that offer
tours to the island from Brisbane if you’re
flying into the city. Otherwise, the drive
through the Sunshine Coast region is an
adventure in itself if you have a car or are
a local traveller. At 123kilometres long
and 22 kilometres wide, it’s Queensland’s
largest island and also takes out the title
of the largest sand island in the world.
Given that it’s made up entirely of sand
and the fact that it’s situated at the base
of the Great Barrier Reef, you can pretty
much ensure that there are plenty of
warm, inviting beaches to explore.
Places to Stay:
Of course we are going to give you the
usual three options however this time
around it comes with a bit of a twist.
While, yes, the luxury accommodation is
sublime, the budget version we’re going
to provide you with is a little bit…off the
beaten track.
Our luxury pick is the Kingfisher Bay
Resort. While K’gari might be the
world’s largest sand island, the resort
accommodation is split up into two main
resorts. Kingfisher is one of the two and
delivers on it’s luxury promise perfectly.
With four swimming pools, a variety of
accommodation options including selfcontained
villas and hotel rooms, as well
as three restaurants to truly explore the
delicacies of Australian cuisine, Kingfisher
Bay Resort has got it all.
It’s suitable for a couples getaway as
well as a family holiday, and, as a bonus,
if you aren’t 4-wheel driving on the
island, Kingfisher Bay Resort is where
many of the tour companies provide
accommodation for their overnight stays.
Starting at $229 per night in low season
with an option of a buffet breakfast for
a few bucks, Kingfisher Bay Resort is a
great luxury pick.
The incredible white sands and clear water of Lake Mackenzie - perfect for a paddleboard.
for studio apartments all the way up to
two bedrooms, so once again a great
option for a family holiday, but book early
for school holidays, Eurong is a popular
place to land on Fraser and with rooms
starting from $149 in low season it’s not
hard to see why.
Now, last but not least is our budget
option. This one is aimed specifically
at those of you who are self-driving
to the island and are looking for a bit
of adventure. It’s no secret that K’gari
has an abundance of stunning places
to stay and the majority of them are
purely for campers. It costs around
$6.50 per person, per night through the
Queensland National Parks website and
there are hundreds of different places
for you to set up.
You can stay inland at Central Station
near to the crystal clear creek that runs
centrally through the camp, or, if you
prefer the sound of the ocean with
your BBQ dinner then beach camping
is for you. Plan in advance to get the
best spots and book before everyone.
We recommend the Great Sandy Cape
at the top of the island. Away from the
wind and blustery surf conditions, if
you’re travelling in Spring or Summer,
the beach camping on the top of the
island really makes you feel as if you’re
4 Wheel Driving and catching the sunset on the largest sand island in the world.
Our mid-range accommodation option is
situated at the lower end of the island in
Eurong Beach Resort which is perfectly
positioned right on 75 Mile Beach. Again,
many tour operators choose Eurong as
an overnight accommodation provider
for their tours, so even if you’re not selfdriving
it’s the perfect place to kick off
your stay.
Eurong has two swimming pools, tennis
courts and BBQ facilities. Not to mention
is the best place to get a pie in the whole
of the Fraser Coast. There are options

staying on a proper tropical island. The fact that there aren’t
a huge amount of camp sites here is perfect too, because
it means lots of privacy to just enjoy the surrounds. Awinya
Creek is our second option, and if you’re staying on the island
for a few nights (which you most definitely should) then we
recommend heading to the Sandy Cape for a night or two
and then popping over to Awinya Creek for the next couple of
nights to really soak up the adventure life. Awinya is situated
on the western side of the island, and while the sand is softer
here and you definitely need to keep an eye on those tides,
once you hit your campsite it will have been well worth the
travel. Hot tip: A sunset over the water on the western side of
the island is like no other sunset you’ve seen.
Things to Do:
Kingfisher Bay Resort for that luxury 5 star experience - Image Facebook
So, you’ve organised your accommodation and you’ve
decided whether you’re going to drive yourself, (either with
your own 4WD vehicle or through hiring on the mainland) or
if you’re going to take the option of a tour company. Now, all
that’s left to decide is what to do. If you’ve purchased a tour
for a few days then this section is probably not for you. The
best part of tours is that the itinerary is set out for you, so all
you have to do is relax and enjoy. The biggest decision you’ll
most likely make is what delicious menu item you’re going to
pick for lunch and dinner.
Self-driving is a bit different, with so much to explore on the
island, you can set your own itinerary. Check the tides in
advance in order to plan when you need to travel through to
different parts of the island. This is the best tip we can give,
especially if you’re travelling from interstate and don’t have
much time, you want to maximise the time you do have.
4-wheel driving itself is one of the best things to do on
the island. With so many tracks and off-road avenues to
adventure onto, as well as beach driving (not to mention,
pulling up on the beach for a spot of lunch and to throw a
line in) 4WDing on K’gari is the number one activity for locals
and tourists alike. The best part about this is even if you’re
just travelling to get somewhere, you’ll still do plenty of the
adventure track touring just by driving to your destination.
Fraser Island has more than 100 lakes, so there are plenty of
them to take a dip in, and too many for us to tell you about
here. So we’ll hit the highlights.
Lake McKenzie is world famous for its crystal clear water,
made up of thousands of years of sand sediment settling on
the lake floor, it’s literally just a giant, beautiful puddle of rain
See K’gari from a different point of view - Scenic flight with Air Fraser - Image Facebook
45
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au

water. So pure is the water in Lake McKenzie that not much
can live in it, which means even when it hits the dark part of
the water there’s nothing to be scared of, so you can let your
feet dangle off the side of your paddle board as you explore
the lake. Lake Wabby (disappearing due to its neighbouring
sandblow that’s slowly closing in on the lake, this one is one
not to be missed), Basin Lake (a black water perched lake)
and Lake Boomanjin (which is the world’s largest perched
lake at 190 hectares!). In addition to the lakes, there’s also the
creeks. Eli Creek is largest creek on the island with 166 million
litres of water per day flowing out to sea. It’s surface is so
clear that upon initial inspection it actually looks muddy, but
that’s just the sand colour beneath!
The Champagne Pools are a natural site also not to be
missed. Head up there (they’re at the top of the island) on low
tide for a stunning view and calm waters. There’s plenty of
marine life surrounding the island, but the Champagne Pools
and Indian Head, just next door, are the best places to see it.
Depending on what time of year you’re heading to the island
you’ll see a variety of sharks, dolphins, whales, turtles and
other sea mammals.
Finally, for something exceptional and just a little bit touristy,
book yourself a scenic flight of the island. Air Fraser Island
runs beach take offs and landings, and will give you a view of
the island that no one else gets to see, the one from the top.
With it’s peaks and valleys, colours of the sea where it meets
the sand and the colours of the sand where it meets the cliff
sides, a scenic flight is one of the best ways to see the island
in it’s entirety in just a few short minutes. If you’re running low
on time, this is highly recommended.
The walkway to Champagne Pools, located at the top of the island.
So now we’ve got your drooling over Fraser Island, and now
that essential travel has its old meaning back, ditch the toilet
paper fight and get amongst it. We can’t wait to see you there.
NB: We would be remiss if we didn’t give you a heads up
of the dangers of the island. In addition to washouts on
the beach that can be life threatening to inexperienced
4-wheel drivers, there’s also the fact that swimming
on the main beach along 75 Mile Beach is highly not
recommended due to huge waves, hidden rips and
massive tides. Then there’s the infamous dingoes, if
you’re heading to Fraser Island keep away from dingoes,
never feed them and pick up some information on the
mainland about the dangers before you go. Head there
to have fun, but make sure it’s safe.
Dingoes are infamous on K’gari, take precautions and don’t feed them.
The
RAILWAY HOTEL
STRATHMERTON VIC
www.strathypub.com.au
03 5874 5203
37 Main St, Strathmerton VIC 3641
info@strathypub.com.au
www.ausemergencyservices.com.au 46

a simple
bowel test
could save
your
life.
The home test kit sent in the
mail to 50–74 year olds is free,
easy to do and can detect early
signs of bowel cancer.
Sometimes bowel cancer doesn’t have any symptoms—
that’s why doing the test is so important. When detected
early 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated.
So don’t underestimate the power of your poo,
it could save your life.
www.health.gov.au/nbcsp | 1800 627 701
For information in your language,
phone the Translating and Interpreting Service: 13 14 50
or visit www.health.gov.au/nbcsp-translations

ARE THEY
TRIPLE OK?
We’re always there to help.
Let’s make sure we help each other and ask R U OK?
ruok.org.au/triple-ok

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Emergency Services
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