PORT MacDonnell’s SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) team has been highlighted for its dedication to the seaside community.
Ambulance Responders Sheryl Teigesser and Pamela Carter recently accepted the SAAS Retired Officers’ Community Engagement Award and high praise from Grant District Mayor Richard Sage for the volunteer group’s service to the Port MacDonnell district.
Both women started volunteering in March 2019 and are part of a small eight-person team who respond to emergency and non-emergency cases around Port MacDonnell, Allendale East and beyond the Victorian border.
SAAS Limestone Coast regional team leader Joe Renko said the award was “purely based on the amazing work they have provided within the community”.
“The award is an acknowledgement of the Port MacDonnell team’s efforts in being able to recruit, retain and up-skill volunteers, so they are able to provide excellent care and transportation,” he said.
Ms Teigesser said it was special for the small team to be awarded such recognition.
“Receiving this award was an honour for us and highlights the team’s amazing community spirit,” she said.
Ms Teigesser has progressed through the ranks since becoming a SAAS volunteer.
She started as an ambulance assist volunteer and has now completed the ambulance responder course, with only the ambulance officer section to go.
Ms Teigesser said a moment witnessing the SAAS in action inspired her to become a volunteer and she has not looked back since.
“When I saw the amazing work of SAAS first-hand, I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of,” she said.
“Apart from learning basic care and clinical treatment, volunteering with SAAS has improved my self-confidence and self-belief immensely.
“Being able to comfort and help people when they need it most is incredibly rewarding.”
The value of volunteers like Ms Teigesser and Ms Carter has never been higher given the impacts of the summer bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s healthcare system, on top of everyday incidents.
“We rely on having support in the background,” he said.
“Having volunteers able to provide excellent care in the community is really vital.”
Mr Renko said the region’s SAAS volunteer base had remained strong despite the current global climate.
“I would say volunteer recruitment has been quite active,” he said.
“A lot of volunteers in many regions have identified they would like to support their own community.”
Looking ahead, Ms Teigesser said the Port MacDonnell team remained committed to providing the best service possible when emergencies occur in the Limestone Coast.
“The team at Port MacDonnell are excellent,” she said.
“When you are sick please ring, it is what we are here for.
“We are always here to help.”
People interested in volunteering for the SA Ambulance Service can contact Joe on 0419 037 602.
