Thank yous

Commissioner’s thanks It is pleasing to see that we commenced 2021 in the same way that we finished 2020, with the community continuing to recognise the positive attitude and care that QAS officers display to the community. This is recognised by the 735 appreciations received Everyone has different levels of success. For me, success can never be achieved unless you have the desire to initiate it. The amazing work and commitment from staff that continuously results in appreciation letters we receive from members of the public, makes me constantly aware of what accomplishments we have made as an organisation. This month has seen an influx of thank you letters, with 304 letters received this year to date and 609 letters and emails of thanks sent to staff members. Hi, a belated thanks (message sent 17 January 2021) to the two ambos (Riley Best and Ryan Hansen), who picked Just want to say a big thank you to the ladies (Corinne Wilkes, Kate Olive and Candice Boileau) that came to my house this morning (July 19) for my little girl and the dispatch guy (Jamaine Prieditis) who helped me stay very calm. They do an amazing job and I really appreciated them being so fantastic. Kristie, Morningside I would just like to pass on a big thank you to Robin (Glover), Adam (Peters) and university student Erika (Gage) who attended my Dad this afternoon (12 February) after a fall in the garden. They were all really lovely, put up with Dad’s ‘Dad Jokes’, and we all had a good chat on the way to the hospital, which definitely helps with keeping everyone’s stress levels down! I think Erika will be an amazing paramedic when she graduates! Thank you! Kat, Eatons Hill between 1 December 2020 to I cannot thank you enough for all your hard work. me up off the road in Hi there. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to 28 February 2021. During this time I have sent 264 emails to officers recognising their outstanding service, with many more to follow as we continue through 2021. I look forward to the rest of the year and thank you for your continued commitment and consideration shown to the community. I want to send a quick thank you to the paramedics (Chantal Greaney and Melissa Dajic) who assessed my son and took him to hospital on Wednesday night (July 12). It was the first time I have ever had to call the ambulance and I was quite nervous in doing so I would like to take the time to express our thanks to various QAS officers for their attendance and assistance at our unplanned home birth Russell Bowles ASM QAS Commissioner James (Hoy) and Tiffany (Parkinson) who rushed me to hospital when a container of 3D print resin exploded on my face on 3 February. I have PTSD and anxiety and was low key freaking out because I couldn’t see. They didn’t leave my side until I was in the care of the Gold Coast University Hospital, constantly reassuring me and talking to me to keep me level. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me. Please let Brightwater (Mountain Creek) on 3 December 2020 after I had a bicycle accident. I fractured my sacrum and third vertebrae. Excellent job guys! Garry, Buderim Russell Bowles asm on 4/9/2017. I commend the Triple Zero officer – worried I was overreacting and wasting the them know I didn’t lose my eyesight either, I was QAS Commissioner (Julie Ricardo) for her efficiency and ability to paramedics time. The two ladies who attended really lucky. Thank you for all you do. reassure us that help was on the way and clear our home were so calm and reassuring. They Joshua, Runaway Bay instructions in the meantime. Tammy (Olsson) quickly assessed my son and took us to Lady arrived on scene approximately 5 minutes Cilento, all the while distracting my son with following the birth of our son Woody and I would Wiggles videos and calming a nervous and I wish to thank Ben (Hespe) and Jack (Roberts) who assessed and like to commend her professionalism, calm in panicked mum. Thank you for such excellent treated our Mum, June, following her episode at Emerald Lakes, the situation and ability to treat me as a fellow service and care!!! I don't believe this service Carrara this morning. They transported her to Pindara Hospital being rather than just a patient. She was caring, compassionate and efficient. I appreciate Tammy arranging for our transfer through to Hervey Bay Hospital. I believe Arto (Hirsimaki) and another gets the recognition it deserves for all the work your paramedics do. Amanda, Wellington Point where she is spending the night under observation in the cardiac ward. Those two gentlemen are a credit to your service. They were so professional and caring. We knew Mum was in great care. Regards to you all and thank you for the job that you do QAS. officer (Andrew Rach) assisted with my transfer Karen, Tenterfield NSW and Julie, Worongary (24 Feb) from Hunters Hut through to Hervey Bay and I found Arto to be very attentive to my needs at this time considering I was having much Hi, I just wanted to pass on these pics (left) to Carolyn (Sharp) and Daniel Just want to give a shout out to the LARU officer difficulty. I hope our message can reach the individual officers involved. Thank you to QAS for the important work you do I know we certainly needed the service on this day! Our little man Woody is doing great settling in at home with his older sister Anna, feeding and sleeping well. (Hirsimaki). On 2 January this year I was driving my labouring daughter Erin and her partner Pierre to Sunshine Coast University Hospital (SCUH). I had a funny feeling we might not make it even though labour had only taken an hour and a half so far. I’m a paramedicine student, so I got some things prepared just in case, and was ready to call Triple Zero (OOO). On Nicklin Way, Warana, Erin started pushing. We pulled over and called Triple Zero (OOO). I could see bub’s who attended my home on Monday (August 21). His name was Steve (Kliese) and we are in the Ipswich area. He was prompt, caring, compassionate, empathetic, funny and the list goes on. He had me reassured within minutes. If my thanks could be passed to his OIC that would be appreciated. Darren and Kate, Lakeside head still in the intact amniotic sac. My training (which is not much yet for childbirth) kicked in, and I reassured my daughter until QAS arrived. Carolyn Des, Silkstone and Daniel arrived and completed the trip to SCUH hot. Amora was born on the 36 QAS Insight SPRING 2017 QAS stretcher on the way into the birthing suite. She was 4.010kg and healthy. I coincidentally ran into Carolyn and Daniel at a servo two days later so was QAS_Insight_Magazine_SPRING_2017_DRAFT3.indd 36 able to thank them personally, but I thought they’d like to see these pics. I would also like to thank the EMD (Kathleen Airey) who was amazing and so calm. 11/10/17 8:43 pm Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. QAS does a wonderful job and we are so thankful for your care, and for Daniel and Carolyn and Kathleen. I’ve done clinical placement twice now with QAS, I’ve seen some sad cases. I never thought in a million years I would need QAS for my own family. It was so wonderful that Above this little girl came in a hurry and we got to share such a positive experience.

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Urs Birrer suffered a traumatic brain injury, a punctured lung, multiple broken ribs and a fractured collarbone in March 2019 when he came off his mountain bike on a secluded track at the Daisy Hill Conservation Park. In January 2020, Urs, who spent four months in the Princess Alexandra Hospital, reunited with four of the paramedics who attended his case–Jamie Lamont, Jamie MacPherson, Madeline Hillas and Beau Thomas–at Beenleigh Ambulance Station. Joseph Johnston and Catherine Hassall also attended the case. Urs is still on the road to recovery and recently Getting in touch contacted Beenleigh OIC Chris Rendall-Day Messages collated on these pages to say he has started a blog to help other are derived from a range of QAS patients and their families on the same contact points, including: journey. He also expressed how two years on, via Facebook he still thinks about his teal angels daily. facebook.com/qldambulanceservice The following excerpts have been reproduced by email with permission from Urs. QAS.Media@ambulance.qld.gov.au I still make small steps in my recovery and think about you guys at least once every day. I am so thankful for what the by post QAS Media Unit, GPO Box 1425 Brisbane QLD 4001 paramedics did when they picked me up. Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am now without their first treatment and response. Today is my second-year anniversary (10 March) and I have started a blog about my recovery. We recently went to the site where I came off the I would just like to sincerely thank David (Rogers) and Tara (Williams-Hanna) who ended up coming to our house yesterday (10 January) after my Father had a seizure and collapsed onto our driveway. Your help and compassion was truly appreciated and definitely didn’t go unnoticed by myself and my Mother. You two were amazing even when Dad was being a bit combative and a bit confused with what was happening and trying to get him down our steep driveway. He has since spent a night at Gold Coast University Hospital where a neurologist saw him today (11 January) and he has since been diagnosed with epilepsy, so it is definitely going to be an interesting journey ahead. bike…Must have been a challenge itself to get me out of there…Say hello to everybody from me. Cheers, Urs Urs plans to mention the QAS in an upcoming post. You can view his blog by clicking on www.never-give-up.life In the early hours of this morning (4 February) we called Triple Zero (000) for our five-year-old son in Mackay in distress with breathing issues. We cannot speak highly enough of the call centre person (Sheralyn Cargill) and the two paramedics who responded (Joshua McAnulty and Gareth Taylor). On a very busy night they were calm, professional and we felt so well A HUGE thankyou to the ambo team (Gabrielle Kropp, Rachael Butler and university student Callum Markie), who attended my Mum Edith this evening (12 January). So very kind and caring on top of their expertise and professionalism in these very strange days. Full marks to Gabby and crew. They’re tops. We are very grateful. Sandra, Keperra Jarad, Parkwood supported and reassured that our son was in the best hands. We have the greatest respect for these wonderful men and A huge ‘thank you’ to Samuel (Rogers) who came to our women who work all hours and conditions home last Friday night (12 February) when my Mother to keep us safe and healthy. Thank you so dislocated her knee. He was caring and patient. She was much. Exceptional people. Exceptional care in a lot of pain and he supported her through that and got and service. her onto a stretcher and safely to Beaudesert Hospital. Rebecca, Glenella We appreciate him and all he did. With thanks.