Working as an ambulance officer is a memorable experience.   And there is more to it than the adrenalin rush that accompanies the red and blue lights and the sirens.  Crews meet many patients in dire circumstances and share some of the joy of knowing that at least some of those survive as a result of care given.  They also share the grief of not always being able to save patients.  Officers work in pairs and teams and rely on their colleagues for teamwork and peer support.  Even in their waiting time, they share their own stories with their colleagues.   Although the work can be stressful, most officers love their work and feel they have made a worthwhile contribution to society.

Retirement could mean the loss of contact, friendship and support. Ambulance Officers, much more than people used to working alone, need a continuation of this social contact and team environment.   The SA Ambulance Service Retired Officers’ Association aims to provide a framework for replacing a part of that environment and making use of some of the skills developed over careers, both for the officers’ own benefit and for the benefit of the wider community.