Recently our Energy & Utilities, Private Sector, and Airlines Manager, Narelle Rich, took the Union Winter Interns out to visit members at NSW Ambulance.
Our members are the first point of assistance in many emergencies, answering 000 calls from around the state 24 hours a day, every day of the week. One point which we learnt while on site, was the ease with which the systems can pick up the details of 000 calls from landline phones comparatively to mobile. Therefore, when possible, making 000 calls from a landline can help to improve the speed with which your location and other data are available in an emergency.
Narelle and the interns were privileged to sit in on some calls with members, and hear the complexity of the situations that Emergency Medical Call Takers are handling on each shift. Hearing from members like Jacqueline and Hannah, and seeing them work, only solidified what we already know at the USU- these workers are incorrectly classified and severely underpaid for the skill and resilience they show every day in doing their jobs.
Your union is committed to ensuring that our 000 Call Taker members at NSW Ambulance receive the respect and recognition that they deserve, and we will keep you updated on our efforts to see this achieved.
