Rolleston's own first responder tells her story after a decade of saving lives

Gail, Mt Panorama, Rolleston, has been a first responder in the region for more than 10 years, and was recently recognised with a medal thanking her for her service. 

Most of her call-outs are farm accidents and traffic crashes, but she said heart attacks, mental health issues and household accidents have also made the list over the past decade. 

Gail said her role was one which the community valued, and one which she saw as vital in a country town. 

“You just do what you can to keep someone alive, or comfortable, or reassured until the paramedics can get there,” she said. 

The closest ambulance station to Rolleston is Springsure, and Gail said between the time it took to call in an emergency and the paramedics arriving, close to an hour has usually elapsed. 

That’s where Gail comes in – taking the calls and heading to emergencies, sometimes with little knowledge of what she will be arriving to. 

As the Central Highlands Regional Council Deputy Mayor, Gail said her involvement with the community was something she has always valued in her various roles. 

She has seen young community members die on the roadside, and dealt with cars of seriously injured tourists who could not speak english. 

But the one emergency Gail said she has yet to face is one involving her own family. 

“For me, this training was something which I thought I would be able to take back home as well,” she said. 

“We’re on the farm, all our family out here are on properties as well – for me, it was the thought of, what would I be able to do if something happened at home?

“I’ve yet to face it. Honestly, you don’t know how you would respond until you’re there, but I hope this training would help me.” 

First responders are given regular training, and in addition to basic first aid are also trained in advanced resuscitation, which includes training to administer oxygen and use a defibrillator. 

The health sector is not one which Gail ever saw herself being involved in, and she said she was unsure how long she would be able to do the first responder role. 

“I’ve actually always hated blood, I wasn’t sure how I would deal with it,” she said.

“But when you’re there, you just look at it as a whole. It’s like ‘what are the injuries, what do I need to do to help this person?’.” 

Gail began working in the community as part of the SES, and said she sometimes finds herself at a scene and is unsure which role she needs to be playing the most. 

“It comes down to doing what you’re needed to do,” she said. 

“Sometimes that’s with my SES hat one, sometimes it’s as a first responder.

“My pack stays in my car at all times, so it is always with me. You never know when you’re going to be needed.”

Call-outs at all hours are not unusual, and Gail said it is all part of the role – which is voluntary. 

She said she has been called everything from a road angel to a saviour. 

“You’re there to help people, in whatever way you can,” she said.

“Sometimes it is just being there, waiting with people who are in shock, waiting for the ambulance to come.

“They see me arrive, and they are just so grateful that someone is there for them. They’re always so surprised at how quickly I arrive.” 

Mt Panorama is on the Canarvon Highway, not far from a major intersection where crashes often occur. 

“At this time of year, it’s often tourists, and people towing who aren’t used to towing,” Gail said. 

“There’s a lot of heavy vehicle crashes, caravans, and tourists who just aren’t used to the roads or the long, straight stretches.

“But every case is different – I’ve never done the same thing twice.”