The focus was on first responders when the Rotary Club of Woy Woy met on Tuesday, December 1, at Everglades Country Club.
Club members welcomed guest speaker Natalie Occhiouto, communications engagement manager from healthcare provider, CareFlight.
The aeromedical organisation was founded in 1986 to enable hospital-standard emergency care to be taken to the patient through a first-response helicopter with a doctor, paramedic, pilot and aircrew officer on board.
Thirty-four years on, CareFlight cares for more than 8000 patients a year and operates internationally with 560 staff across Australia.
Woy Woy Club president, Joan Redmond, said members had heard about the provider’s four-and-a-half-minute launch time from the call, and their efforts to target volunteer emergency service workers with free simulation-based trauma care training.
Redmond also said Occhiouto had offered the Club a chance to see the new helicopter when it was ready for service next year.
“It was such an interesting and well-presented talk from Natalie about the first responder activities,” Redmond said.
“There was great interest from our members and Nat was asked quite a few questions.
“We look forward to when the base is open again for a tour, and our name is on the contact list to go and see firsthand what happens at CareFlight.”
Through COVID-19, CareFlight has remained fully operational and is currently handling patient air and road transport for northern NSW.
Source:
Newsletter, Dec 8
President of Rotary Club of Woy Woy, Joan Redmond