A paramedic, a fireman, and a policeman stand on a busy highway attending an accident. All three are wiped out by an oncoming car, who gets the most money?
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In the case of death or disability a NSW policeman will receive over several years $432,127, a fireman will receive the same. A paramedic however, will receive $123,487 over two years, three times less than their emergency service counterparts.
Cuts to half-a-million dollars worth of entitlements have prompted Yass Valley paramedics to fight back against the state government, as they call on residents to get behind their plight.
In May this year, NSW paramedics lost their battle with the State Government to maintain . Some stand to lose around $500,000 worth of entitlements, leaving a maximum payout of $123,000 over two years.
The small group of seven permanent employees at Yass Ambulance Station are fighting back against the decision.
While many would know the employees as familiar faces seen in cafes, on the street, or in restaurants. Others would know them for their quick administration of first aid, a comforting voice in a time when fear is overwhelming. These are the people called in times of need, often disregarding their own piece of mind and fears to do their job.
Paramedics across the state have formed a social media campaign called Zero One - Code One, calling on the public's support to stop their entitlements being stripped away.
The name, derived from the common radio code: Zero One, all quiet on radio, an important message about to be made, and Code One, paramedic needs assistance and are under threat.
“Paramedics are health professionals who provide rapid response, emergency medical assessment, treatment and care in and out of hospital environments,” Health Services Union secretary Gerard Hayes said. “The nature of work often requires heavy lifting in confined spaces in awkward situations, which increases the risk of manual handling injuries.
“We are often put in highly emotionally charged scenarios often where drugs, alcohol and violence have played a significant role. We are there to support the victims and provide lifesaving care and medical support to the community.
“This means many of us either can’t find an insurer who will cover us, or the cost of premiums are prohibitive.”
Paramedics across the state want temporary extra funding to be made available to the income scheme to provide similar cover to what the police currently receive.
Their target in Yass is 1000 signatures, across Australia they hope to gain over 50,000.
“That will be 50,000 voices from the public telling the state government that they should value paramedics as much as the community does,” he said.
“If we get more than 10,000 signatures, the parliament must debate our issue.”
HSU Station Union Delegate Paul Box encouraged residents of the Yass Valley and surrounds to support the local paramedics and sign the petition, which will be presented to parliament at the end of July.
He also reminded residents that petitions on facebook are not valid, parliament will only accept hand written signatures.
Petitions are available at the Yass Tribune, Galutzi Cafe, Yass Newsagency and the Murrumbateman Inn.
