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Courageous Victorian community heroes honoured

Brave Victorians who courageously helped others in medical emergencies have been recognised during a special ceremony at Parliament House.

Minister for Health David Davis honoured the 17 recipients of the 12th Annual Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards and launched Ambulance Victoria’s iPhone app.

‘Each year, the common themes of bravery and selflessness are evident in the actions of ordinary people who provide assistance in the most challenging and extraordinary of circumstances.

‘All have risen to the challenge, providing vital assistance to friends, family, workmates and strangers without hesitation.’

Mr Davis said the heroes included brave men and women who stopped at the scene of horrific car accidents and others who provided CPR to cardiac arrest victims.

Last year, Ambulance Victoria’s paramedics attended more than 4000 cardiac arrests.

Of these cases, almost a third of these patients were given CPR by a willing bystander.

Mr Davis said Ambulance Victoria’s iPhone application would teach people the 4 steps for Life – the basic elements of what to do if you come across a person in cardiac arrest.

The app, available for free download in the Apple Store for all iPhones and iPads, includes instructions on what to do in an emergency, an instant guide for calling 000 and Ambulance Victoria education programs and games.

Mr Davis said Ambulance Victoria’s new 4 steps for life iPhone app was developed to help people to build the skills needed to help save a life in a medical emergency.

‘The iPhone app helps users to recognise cardiac arrest and perform CPR, call 000, manage a medical emergency and assist paramedics,’ Mr Davis said.

‘Preparation can be a real key to being able to provide critical help to those who need it and this new technology is a fun and interactive way to learn how you can save lives.’

Since 2000, 178 community heroes have been recognised.

2011 Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Award recipients:

Jason Stone and Gabrielle Jones (Maryborough). When a semi-trailer travelling along Bendigo-Maryborough Road veered to the wrong side and ran off the road, hitting trees and catching fire, motorist Jason Stone pulled the semi-conscious, seriously-injured driver from the cabin and dragged him to safety. Jason stayed with the driver until the ambulance arrived. ICU nurse Gabrielle Jones, on her way to work, rendered first aid. Their help stabilised the patient for transport to the helicopter.

Therese Hughes-Menzies (Karingal). Nominated by paramedics Amanda Green and Tara Glynn, Therese Hughes-Menzies, 13, noticed Nino Deliseo face down in the water in rough seas and high winds. Therese dragged Nino to the pier where bystanders pulled him from the water.

Malcolm Swaine (Frankston). Malcolm visited neighbour, Albert Huckstepp, 83, to find him slumped in a chair, not breathing and in cardiac arrest. Malcolm called triple zero and, following instructions, moved Albert to the floor and began CPR. Albert had a return of heart rhythm shortly after paramedics arrived because of the effective treatment. Intensive care paramedics Lisa Powell and Yvette Mersits nominated Malcolm.

Michelle Smale (Traralgon) and Sue Whitbourne (Lindenow). Michelle and Sue were nominated by Acting Group Manager Paul James for their heroic efforts at an accident between a car and a tanker. The car, with four occupants, hit the back of the tanker on the freeway at night. One occupant was in cardiac arrest. Michelle and Sue performed CPR – in the centre of the freeway in a 110km zone.

Patrick Winterton (Clynebank). Patrick noticed flames from under a car involved in an accident and a person struggling inside. Patrick stopped, smashed a window and dragged a man clear of the burning car. During the rescue, Patrick was overcome with the acrid smoke from the burning wreck. Nominating paramedic Maffra Team Manager Jim Ballard said he was impressed by Patrick’s selflessness.

Deborah McGregor (Altona). Deborah investigated a smoke detector sound and saw smoke coming from across the street. She found the back door of the burning house open and found her neighbour, 87, disorientated in the hallway. Deborah carried her neighbour to safety before she was overcome by smoke. The elderly woman’s ill health had prevented her from leaving the house herself. Paramedic Mark Lunn nominated Deborah, believing she saved the neighbour’s life.

Andrew Peacock (Selby). Arborist Andrew Wells was trimming trees about 15 metres above the ground when, despite safety equipment, he dropped five metres. A metal counterbalance struck his head, fracturing his skull, causing brain and facial injuries and breaking his neck. Andrew Peacock used his rope and rock climbing experience to ease him to the ground.

Jacob Fahey (Barwon Heads), Daniel Sharp (Drysdale), Chris Royle (Ocean Grove), Sean Phelan (Ocean Grove) and Bill Campbell (Ocean Grove). Dennis Sanders collapsed in cardiac arrest on a partially completed roof of a two-storey house. The five nominees called an ambulance and began effective CPR. Paramedics needed a cherry picker to remove Dennis from the roof. The group was nominated by MICA paramedics Scott McCullough and Ben Hespe.

Rachel Dohnt (Geelong) and Kane Treloar (Williamstown). Brian Lloyd, 55, collapsed at the wheel, ran off the road and hit a tree before his car came to rest in the middle of the road. Off-duty life savers Rachel and Kane saw the accident and performed CPR until the arrival of emergency services. Nominating paramedic Paul Robertson said the boyfriend/girlfriend team handled themselves with maturity during the 45-minute resuscitation – especially when Brian’s daughter and paramedic Dani Llyod arrived on the scene.

Tatum De Koning (Wallan). Tatum, 9, was a passenger when her mother, Karen, lost consciousness and control of the car. Tatum removed her seatbelt and steered the car off to the left side of the highway. It crashed at high speed into large pine trees. Tatum was nominated by MICA paramedic Graeme Parker.