Women in Leadership Forum

CITADINES ON BOURKE Melbourne, Australia OCT 2023 26

On average, men apply for a job when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.

We believe that the ambulance sector has a large pool of hidden talent - women currently in leadership roles or who aspire to be leaders but are unsure about how to take that next step in their careers.

The Women in Leadership Forum will provide attendees with practical skills, tools, perspectives and takeaway tips to help these women take the next step.

We invite you to meet and network with some of the Australasian ambulance sector’s most talented women in person at the 2023 CAA Women in Leadership Forum.

Tickets now available. Scan this QR code to book yours today.

Welcome to the July edition of FIRST, which means we’re already past the 2023 halfway mark. Here at CAA, we have had a very eventful first 6 months, from planning the annual Congress, to welcoming 2023 Women in Ambulance Honour Recipients, holding our first round of committee & forum meetings and even heading over to Canada to attend the Paramedic Chiefs of Canada conference.

In this issue we introduce you to a couple of inspirational people from SA Ambulance Service who have added to their day jobs by branching into a range of additional roles, and subsequently winning award recognised by their universities and colleagues for the great work they are doing in these new fields of endeavour.

On page 32 you will find the 2023 CAA Awards for Excellence Finalists, as well as an overview of the categories they are vying to win. This year’s Awards saw our members submit a record 50 extremely high calibre entries, recognised by the panel of international judges as being of the highest standards, with benefits and application to not only the Australasian ambulance sector but indeed globally.

Who will take home the category wins and the coveted overall Star Award for 2023. Join us at the CAA Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on 2nd August in Brisbane and stay tuned on our social media. Thank you again to all the entries and good luck to all the finalists on the night, I will be cheering for each and every one of you.

This edition reflects on recent World Hand Hygiene Day, and we share with you some interesting initiatives our member services have undertaken, including St John WA’s Reconciliation Action Plan and ACT Ambulance Services’ Occupation Violence Campaign.

As always, we highlight the local stories of our people, places, and events from around Australasia that make up our wonderful ambulance community. Our regular Wellness First contributor Mitch Mullooly discusses Mental Fitness and our partners at the Australasian College of Paramedicine share their insights following the Critical Care Summit held at the end of May.

I warmly invite you to share any suggestions you may have for future editions by contacting me at admin@caa.net.au.

Sit back, rug up and grab a cuppa of hot chocolate (my personal favourite) and enjoy Issue 13 of FIRST. Mojca

20 Opinion First

It takes a system to save a life: Improving survival from cardiac arrest.

22 Services First

Showcasing the latest projects and achievements from across CAA member services.

36 Awards First

We introduce you to our Awards for Excellence 2023 Finalists and recognize the innovative solutions of our member services.

42 Feature First

FIRST speaks with SAAS Interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr James Doube and Paramedics, Anastasia Bougesis and Laura Drexler who have received Flinders University alumni awards recognizing their achievements.

42

52 Events First

Australasian College of Paramedicine’s inaugural Critical Care Summit draws hundreds of participants.

54 Partners First

The First Voice of Help - Call Takers and Dispatchers in Emergency Services at ETSA.

60 Research First

Stroke is one of Australia’s leading causes of death and disability and causes significant economic and health burden.

52

68

66 Sustainability

In honour of World Environment Day, here at CAA we asked ourselves the question, ‘What is Sustainability in Ambulance’?

68 People First

Meet some of the wonderful people that make up the Australasian ambulance services.

70 The Directory 72 Wellness First

Mental Fitness: What is it and why does it matter?

The Team

Editor: Mojca Bizjak-Mikic

Relationship and Content Manager: Joshua McNally

Editorial Team: Joshua McNally & Courtney Waters

Publication Design: Kade Marsh, Alpha State

PUBLISHED BY:

The Council Of Ambulance Authorities

2/141 Sir Donald Bradman Drive Hilton SA 5033 Australia admin@caa.net.au