Red Cross Emergency Services Blood Challenge launched • Deputy Commissioners go bush

Red Cross Emergency Services Blood Challenge launched

Volunteers rolling up their sleeves for a good cause

With demand for blood increasing in the colder months, our volunteers and staff are again taking part in the one of the country’s biggest blood drives to donate much needed blood, platelets and plasma.

This year’s Red Cross Lifeblood Emergency Services Blood Challenge was launched at the Town Hall Donor Centre on 1 June, kicking off the annual winter campaign to boost blood supplies.

Representing Marine Rescue NSW was Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell and Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin, who rolled up his sleeve to give the first life-saving donation on behalf of Marine Rescue NSW.

In the 2021 challenge, Marine Rescue NSW picked up the award for ‘Most Improved’ agency, more than tripling donations from the previous year.

Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell said that Marine Rescue NSW members had shown themselves to be adept at saving lives not just on the water, but off it too.

“Last year the donations made by our members helped save 310 people who may otherwise have died.”

“I’m confident we can better that mark this year, and save even more lives.”

Red Cross need more than 1,000 donations across Australia every week, with each donation saving up to three lives. Members are encouraged to donate, and to ensure that local blood service staff know that they are part of the challenge and are representing Marine Rescue NSW.

Deputy Commissioner Alex Barrell with Manager Fleet Kelvin Parkin at the launch.

Deputy Commissioners go bush

Inland units play host to senior staff

Marine Rescue NSW Deputy Commissioners Alex Barrell and Todd Andrews, accompanied by Zone Commander South, Mike Hammond, have headed into the outback, visiting Marine Rescue NSW’s farthest-flung unit at Moama on the Murray River in the south west of the state and the Alpine Lakes unit in the Snowy Mountains at Jindabyne.

At Moama, the trio inspected the unit’s facilities including its two rescue vessels, and held discussions with the Moama Unit Commander Luke Sharrock and his deputy followed by a Zoom meeting in May with the Unit Commanders, Mike Hammond and the Communications and Engagement team in which the very different conditions and hazards faced by boaters in these areas compared to the coast were

Anthony Clark, before joining unit members for dinner.

The trio then headed east to Jindabyne to catch up with recently installed Unit Commander Cain Hopwood and new deputy David Farmer.

The visit provided an opportunity to better understand the unique operational conditions on the alpine lakes and the needs of the unit and

its members.

After the visit, a dinner was held with unit members which allowed for further discussion.

These face to face meetings were discussed. A key outcome of the meeting will be the production of new, targeted brochures for local boaters in these areas, helping them to stay safer on our inland waterways.

A key outcome of the meeting will be the production of new, “ targeted brochures for local boaters in these areas“

Deputy Commissioners Alex Barrell and Todd Andrews inspect the Moama unit’s vessels.