Recruiting new SAAS member from Hamner Springs

Cheviot - small country town crew - reminds me of Padthaway

View from Kaikoura Ambulance station office window  with an azure ocean to the right - how's that to relieve office stress!

Since the last post I've been touring to Akaroa with Fiona Paskall whom we hosted.  A beautiful harbour on the Banks Peninsula,, lunch in a foreshore cafe, walk along the jetty and a magnificent drive back.  Felt 3 quakes - one  was a big shudder and things toppled over on kitchen shelf. Tea at home and then we watched the netball!    Not talking about that! (but admit it was a fantastic game.  But we did win more medals overall at the games!     I went on shift with Fiona at Wainoni station - 3 jobs before being dropped off at HQ - which is in various stations around Christchurch.  Met  Dave Thomas who is Manager of South Island and we looked at statistics after and post the quake... now there's an increase in more mental cases - depression, anxiety.   Met  Glen Cowan, recruitment and volunteers manager.  They  are facing similar situations to us.   St John Youth and cadets is the fastest rising youth activity/program in NZ.  However they seem to lose them in later teens -  study/social/relationship commitments.  Some go on to volunteer later on and some go into training.   I was to go on with Tango 1 (Sprint car) around Christchurch but a student doing Advanced paramedic was put in there - could have continued on at Wainoni but feeling a bit weary so went home and had a catch up afternoon and a nanna nap!  That night  2200 hrs  another quake - this time a rolling one whilst snuggled up in bed - felt like being on the chiropractor's rolling table! 

There's a whole  change happening as they move to a National Diploma for Ambulance Officers and upskilling all paramedics, as well as doing away with  Primary Care levels 1 and 2 and introducing  First Responder.  (sounds like  SAAS - there was a comment ...we seem to be following SAAS!)

 Here I am at Rangiora station for my last shift.   Yesterday was  0530 start leaving home for 0600 start with 7 jobs - all go to Christchurch hospital so transport time varies from 15-35 minutes depending on location of job.    I had a quick demo of the Sagar splint for lower leg trauma.

Everyone still likes the green uniform - even hospital ED nurses commented and I had to do a fashion parade at a  training day  at Rangiora  gotta go  a job is on!