Desiree O’Brien ASM MBA, has a 40-year career in NSW Ambulance as a registered paramedic, with roles spanning frontline, middle and senior management including Intensive Care Paramedic, Control, Operational Recruitment, Special Operations and Clinical Volunteers. She has received two NSW Premier’s Awards, a CAA award and the Ambulance Service Medal.
Howlong Community Emergency Response Team
Ms Desiree O’Brien1
1NSW Ambulance, Sydney, Australia
Abstract
NSW Ambulance’s clinical volunteer workforce spans 60 locations in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote parts of the state. The clinical volunteer workforce provides immediate care to patients prior to the arrival of paramedics or aeromedical crews.
The Howlong community (population of 2551) is situated 28km from Albury and 27 km from Corowa.
In 2019 and the Howlong Progress Association (HPA) approached NSW Ambulance, seeking to explore the Community Emergency Response Team model (CERT).
This was an innovative rather than adversarial approach to the issue.
The HPA coordinated community support including multiple town meetings which were attended by key representatives from NSWA. The community meetings were essential to building trust between NSWA and the people of Howlong.
Howlong CERT trainees were also the first group to embark on a new and innovative induction program that scaffolded their learning across a 9-month period, including undertaking shifts with local paramedics to allow them time to consolidate their skills and knowledge and prepare participants to be safer and more confident clinicians.
Since commencing operations on 30/10/2023 they have completed 142 responses to 000 calls for ambulance assistance (10/02/25) and have arrived before paramedics in 139/142. For the community, Howlong CERT have provided initial clinical care to their patients in 98% cases leading to improved health outcomes for the community.
The project’s success means Howlong has now formed the blueprint for future CERT initiatives in identified locations across NSW.