A NEW South Australian campaign has been launched to encourage everyday people to join the ambulance service as volunteers.
With a particular focus on rural areas, the Take the Step campaign aims to attract people who have thought about working in a healthcare environment.
Limestone Coast ambulance operations manager Andrew Thomas said the campaign will raise awareness about just how easy it is to become a volunteer.
“We now have a greater presence on social media and this campaign will really be pushed on there to reinforce and raise awareness that we are looking for volunteers,” Mr Thomas said.
“It will hopefully show that taking a step forward and putting yourself out there is not that hard and you will really get a lot of rewards from it.”
Mr Thomas said ambulance volunteers were crucial to the paramedic service, particularly in the Limestone Coast area.
“Within the Limestone Coast community we have 10 stations that are manned by volunteers and having them is so important in terms of being able to maintain our service delivery,” Mr Thomas said.
“They give us that ability to respond to people’s medical needs anywhere at anytime.”
Despite having 1595 volunteers across the state, like most organisations, the South Australian Ambulance Service finds it challenging to attract volunteers.
“Every organisation is finding it harder because we live in a time where people’s time has become more valuable, but at the ambulance service we are trying to offer something different to attract more volunteers,” Mr Thomas said.
“As well as giving them a chance to contribute to the community, we also provide them with a skill-set that is valuable in everyday life.”
Speaking highly of the volunteers who already give their time to the service in the Limestone Coast, Mr Thomas said they all reap the rewards of giving something back.
“They are committed to their community and I am extremely thankful as the manager for the region and the wider community should be proud of them as well,” Mr Thomas said.
“Ultimately, they get a lot out of being involved in the team environment and the best thing about that is it makes them try to get other people involved.”
