A Geelong paramedic is celebrating 25 years of making a difference in people’s lives throughout the Barwon South West region.
Ambulance Victoria Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic and acting Barwon South West area manager Michael Wells has worked as a paramedic on the road and in the sky.
Mr Wells said when he started MICA, “Advanced Life Support paramedics had only just been introduced”. He then became a MICA flight paramedic in 2005.
“It was a very steep learning curve but luckily, I had some great leaders and mentors around me who helped me gain confidence,” he said.
“Within a short period of time, I went from only being able to administer a few medications to being able to perform advanced treatments.
“I always liked the idea of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service and the more time I spent on the road, the more it became attractive to me. When I made the switch, I was only 30 years old.”
Mr Wells said he had many memories of his dad as a paramedic and loved every aspect of his job, with his daughter also pursuing a paramedicine career.
“I was lucky enough to work with my dad before he retired, and I hope to work with my daughter before I retire,” he said.
“We’re in a very privileged position to help people in their time of need. They’ve called because they don’t know what else to do. We’re there to help them and provide that link in the healthcare system.
“The jobs we go to allow us to see the best and worst the world has to offer, but knowing we’ve helped someone when they needed it most makes everything bearable.”
