Return to front page Requesting more information Please read before use of web site Search this site Return to front page
 

 

;

The Lightning Ridge Ambulance Station is now staffed by four officers employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales. The station's official staffing level has grown from its original two, to three in October 1998 and now to four in July 2000. The staff increase is as a result of the rural staffing review conducted by the Ambulance Service and HAREA.

These officers work a roster that provides 24 hour coverage to the area with an officer on Call at all times. This involves working shifts during the day and being "on-call" after hours to cover the night work. The officers often work alone and occasionally in difficult and adverse conditions underground.


Current Officers

Station Officer Dean Alchin.

Dean is a qualified Level Three Ambulance Officer and is the Station Manager/Officer of Lightning Ridge Ambulance Station. He was appointed to the position in August 2001 following the transfer of the former Station Officer, Steve McMahon. Dean joined the Ambulance Service in 1998 and has served at Orange and Condobolin prior to commencing duties in his home town, Lightning Ridge as the Station Officer.

Ambulance Officer Paul Beaver.

Paul is a qualified Level 2 Ambulance Officer. He has been stationed at Lightning Ridge since April 2001 and employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since 2000. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge Paul was stationed at Dubbo.

Ambulance Officer Paul Wilson.

Paul is a qualified Level 2 Ambulance Officer. He has been stationed at Lightning Ridge since July 2001 and employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since 2000. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge Paul was stationed in Sydney. Prior to Employment with the Ambulance Service, Paul served for 6 years as a Medic in the Royal Australian Navy.

Ambulance Officer Simon Friend.

Simon is a qualified Level 2 Ambulance Officer. He has been stationed at Lightning Ridge since January 2002 and employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since early 2001. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge Simon was stationed at Dubbo.

Past Officers



images/ambo21.gif - 28591 Bytes

Station Officer Steven McMahon.

Steve was the Station Manager, and stationed at Lightning Ridge as an Advanced Life Support (Level 4) Officer from July 1989 until August 2001. Steve commenced service with the Ambulance Service of NSW in April 1977 and prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge

Steve was stationed at Wellington and Dubbo. In August 2001, Steve transferred to the position of Station Officer of South West Rocks Ambulance Station. Steve is a veteran of underground mines rescue in Lightning Ridge having completed many underground rescues. He has been awarded a Commendation for Bravery under the Australian Awards System and a State Superintendents Commendation for his actions during separate Mines Rescue Operations.



Ambulance Officer Peter Lang.

Peter is a qualified Advanced Life Support (Level 4) Ambulance Officer with a Bachelors Degree in Health Science (Pre-Hospital Care). He was stationed at Lightning Ridge from December 1992 until July 2000, when he was transferred to the Western Operations Centre (Dubbo) due to injury. He is currently working in the Centre as a Duty Operations Officer (Station Officer/Supervisor) after being promoted in November 2001. Peter has been employed by the Ambulance Service of NSW since January 1992 and has served in Broken Hill, Lightning Ridge and Dubbo.

Peter is also a veteran of many underground rescues in Lightning Ridge and has been awarded a Group citation for Bravery under the Australian Awards System and a State Superintendents Commendation for his actions during separate Mines Rescue Operations.


images/Ambo20.jpg - 10588 Bytes

Ambulance Officer Andrew Keft.

Andrew is a qualified Level 3 Ambulance Officer and is currently studying for a Bachelor in Health Science (Pre-Hospital Care) through Charles Sturt University. He commenced duties at Lightning Ridge in October 1998 and transferred to Warrilla in the Wollongong area in June 2001. Andrew has been employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since 1997. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge Andrew was stationed at Taree.

Ambulance Officer George Loudon.

George is a qualified Level 2 Ambulance Officer. He commenced duties at Lightning Ridge from July 2000 and is now stationed at Naromine after transferring there in April 2001. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge George was stationed at Dubbo. He has been employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since 1999.

Ambulance Officer David Whitehead.

Ambulance Officer David Whitehead was a qualified Level 2 Ambulance Officer whilst stationed at Lightning Ridge. David was stationed at Lightning Ridge from September 2001 until he transferred to Dunedoo as an Ambulance Officer in January 2002. David has been employed by the Ambulance Service of New South Wales since 2000. Prior to commencing duty at Lightning Ridge David was stationed on the Coast. Prior to Employment with the Ambulance Service, David served as a Medic in the Royal Australian Navy.
Level Description
Skill descriptions
One Probationary Ambulance Officer Primary Care Skills - under direct supervision of training officer
Two Ambulance Officer - Primary Care Adult and Pediatric Defibrillation, MAST suit administration, oral and nasopharyngeal airway, oral suction, Heimlich manoeuvre, Pulse oximetry, Blood glucose readings, Nebulized Salbutamol administration, subcutaneous glucagon, Oxygen IPPV, Entonox, Methoxiflurane, Sublingual Glyceryl Trinitrate, Acetylsalicylic acid (asprin).
Three Ambulance Officer - Primary Care as above - primary care skills.

Under a skills upgrade proposal, level three officers may undertake training qualifying them in canulation, intravenous administration of hartmans, and intramuscular administration of adrenaline (non-cardiac use)and intramuscular administration of naloxone.

Four Ambulance Officer - Advanced Life Support Primary care skills plus canulation, with intravenous administration of Adrenaline, Atripine, Dextrose 50%, Frusimide, Hartmans, Haemaccel, Metoclopramide, Morphine sulphate, Midazolam, Diazepam and Naloxone. Also decompression of tension pneumothorax, pediatric intraosseous canulation, tracheal suction, .
Five Ambulance Officer - Paramedic Advanced Life Support skills plus Endotracheal intubation, intragastric tube, magill forceps use and with intravenous administration of Lignocaine, Sodium Bicarbonate and Calcium Chloride.
Information for staff profiles obtained from each officer and information for skill level description obtained from Ambulance Service of New South Wales Protocols, Procedures and Pharmacology manual. Information provided for interest only and not intended for any other purpose. Information correct at 1st August 2001.


Back to top of page
Last Update Pre 2006