Delegate Profile: Hear from APA (NSW) Delegate Janna DaRos, a Paramedic at Boggabri Station

If you require a break due to fatigue, raise your work health and safety obligations. On page 12 we look at what language you can use to respectfully and reasonably ask for an appropriate, safe break. If you are challenged, then you should contact your local APA (NSW) delegate immediately. If you are unsure who your local delegate is, contact the APA (NSW) office on (02) 9564 3261 and we can help you find them.

Paramedic asks for a break, it is a cry for help, not a refusal of duty.

DELEGATE PROFILE: JANNA DAROS

What is your name, role, and station?

My name is Janna and I am a P1 stationed at beautiful Boggabri in the New England. However, I am currently doing 6 months as one of the HRMs for Hunter New England. make sure that it continues to be a great job and that the Paramedics who are doing the grunt work every day get a say in how the role evolves.

What do you do outside of your life as a Paramedic and Delegate?

I have twins so my new hobbies include play dates at the park, playing with Lego and cleaning up after they terrorise the house. Otherwise I enjoy anything outside, especially if it involves escaping to the beach for a weekend.

Why did you become a delegate?

I became a delegate because I really enjoy being a Paramedic. I wanted to

What are challenges unique to your zone?

An ongoing issue in the New England is long distance transfers. We are also waiting to see how the future enhancements to staffing and stations will impact our rosters and staffing levels as we currently have lots of on-call existing in the New England. So, there is much speculation about how that will change over the next couple of years. Other issues we are facing is on-going drought that is really wearing down all of the community. This summer, we experienced many devastating bushfires.

What do you find most rewarding about being a delegate?

Being able to see positive changes occur.

What does solidarity mean to you?

To me it means being part of a group of like-minded people. I think ambos are really good at this. Whether it’s the same sense of black humour or rallying around each other after the hard jobs we are there for each other when it counts.

Do you work in New England Sector and need some advice? Your local delegates are: Janna DaRos (Boggabri Station) at janna.daros@health.nsw.gov.au Lucas Hawkins (Boggabri Station) at lucas.hawkins@health.nsw.gov. au Karen Taylor (Murrundi Station) at karen.taylor@health.nsw.gov.au