QAS’ Man of Steel hangs up his cape

It takes unwavering dedication to claim the mantle as the longest current full time serving officer in an ambulance service. Les Steel showed this from his early beginnings as a teen helping out around the Ayr Ambulance Station, biding his time until he was old enough to sign the register.

That was more than half a century ago and his accomplishments between then and now would take nearly as long to list.

Most recently, Les has been splitting his time between Brisbane and Townsville while working on the Government Wireless Network (GWN) and Public Safety Regional Radio Communications projects.

In December 2021 Les commenced pre‐retirement leave to take him through to his 50-year milestone in January 2023.

With farewells in both Townsville and Brisbane, his final week reflected his passion for mentorship as an outpouring of staff from across the service signalled their gratitude and lamented the loss of a great source of knowledge.

Formally employed in 1973, Les is not simply a witness to the rapid transformation of QAS technology and clinical training in the years following, but a major contributor to its success.

As the state training officer, Les taught many of the early coronary care courses, co-wrote the first box jellyfish anti-venom program and established the first training program Glucagon administration by ambulance officers.

In the ‘90s Les returned to North Queensland and served as Sector Coordinator for a region stretching from the Cape to Bowen, before writing the standard operating procedures for the Townsville and Rockhampton Operations Centres.

Les continued to be instrumental in developing communications such as radio, CAD and telephony. His project work writing business continuity plans was rolled out across all QAS OpCens and his work culminated in an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) in 2008.

Les can pinpoint his interests as a youth – learning to build radios or sweeping for jellyfish at the surf club – as the roots that would see him branch through a diverse and impactful career within the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS).

The officer set to usurp Les as the longest permanent serving was one of the first to bestow his well wishes as Les said farewell at the Kedron Emergency Services Complex.

Peter Fiechtner first met Les while working as training officers in 1989 and said he only has good memories over the years.

“It was nostalgic being at the presentation,” Peter said.

“We spent time chatting about the change we’ve seen in our time.

“To stay in the same job for 50 years is unheard of these days.”

Next in line as the longest current permanent serving officer is Peter. He was appointed in January 1974, a year to the day after Les.

Les will be glad to see his long-time colleague also achieve the astounding 50-year milestone.

“He’s definitely trying to take the title,” he joked.

A memorable case for any paramedic, Les recalls delivering his first baby in a patient’s home. Chuffed with the successful birth, he transported the new family to the local hospital, where he promptly found himself locked outside for being underage.

Similarly, Peter lays claim to a remarkable first delivery – he found himself assisting in the birth of a baby girl in the back of an ambulance within an hour of turning up for his first shift as a Driver Bearer.

Reflecting on our modern communications infrastructure, Les remembered a time when stations would take their own calls and communicate with their vehicles over a local radio channel.

“The smaller stations had no dedicated telephone or radio operators, so the superintendent or an on-duty officer would answer the phones and radio,” he said.

Characteristic of the high bar set for himself, Les is rueful he won’t see out the full launch of his current communications project but has been guaranteed an invite for when the ribbon is cut.

Among the many presentations was a retirement plaque comprising radio equipment and Les admitted even after 50 years he was sad to say goodbye.

“I’ll miss the chats and seeing everyone face-to-face the most,” he said.

“It’s been great to take part in the change.”

Les departs with a wealth of knowledge but leaves a legacy of innovation and a strong foundation for the next generation of staff.

In the meantime, you can find Les already wrangling his next challenging project, an untended garden at home.

In the first week of May, QAS Commissioner Craig Emery was in Townsville to present Les with a special award, the Distinguished Services Medal, in honour of his long and distinguished career spanning more than 52 years with the QAS.

The extra two years noted takes into account Les’ time as an Honorary Ambulance Officer in his early years in Ayr.

Les said his medal presentation was a lovely surprise.

“I’m humbled,” he said. “It’s been a real pleasure to receive it and so unexpected.”

Les is planning to work now until the end of the week of 23 January 2023 to clock up the 50 years nearly exactly.