Meeting Chaired By
Lee Waller.
Meeting Conducted
13:30-15:30.
Committee Attendee’s
John Thomas, Mike Hardwick, Lee Waller, Callan McClure, Dave Higgins, Conrad Fairhead, Andrew Kerfoot, Dave Bryant, Rick Candy and Chris Smith.
Committee Apologies
Shane Gray, Paul Davies and Jesse George.
Previous Minutes Accepted By
This was the 2nd meeting of the AEAWA Ambulance Services Committee.
Meeting Agenda
The core focus of this meeting was to review, discuss, and provide updates on key strategic actions undertaken by the AEAWA to support the expansion of its membership into new Ambulance Service organisations beyond St John WA. This shift represents a landmark step for the Association, broadening its reach and reinforcing its commitment to advocating for all ambulance professionals across the Western Australian and national pre-hospital care sectors.
Opening of Secondary AEAWA Bank Account
To facilitate the integration of new members from outside St John WA, a dedicated AEAWA secondary bank account has now been successfully established.
- Objective: To separate and manage membership contributions specifically from other ambulance services, allowing for cleaner financial reporting, compliance, and transparency.
- Current Status: The account is active and already receiving payments from new members, including those employed by Wilson Medic One, National Patient Transport (NPT) and Paramedics across the Private Industry.
- Outcome: This financial infrastructure now supports future growth and enables tailored allocation of resources for new service members.
AEAWA Awareness & Advertising Campaign
In response to the need for broader visibility, the AEAWA launched a dedicated advertising and outreach campaign.
- Materials Created: Professionally branded flyers, brochures, and digital content outlining the Association’s services and benefits were developed.
- Distribution: These materials have been disseminated throughout multiple ambulance workplaces across WA and beyond.
- Response: The campaign has sparked significant interest, with dozens of inquiries received from staff at various ambulance providers. Many have expressed strong interest in joining and learning more about AEAWA’s ability to advocate on their behalf.
“We’ve had phone calls from Paramedics, medics, transport officers, and communications staff — all wanting to know how AEAWA can support them and how they can get involved.” — Committee Member
Upgrading the AEAWA Membership Database
Recognising that the existing member database was tailored exclusively for St John WA staff, the Association undertook a system-wide upgrade.
- Actions Taken: The database was restructured to accommodate multiple employers and member types, ensuring compatibility and data integrity across varied employment settings.
- Results: The new system allows real-time updates, seamless new member enrolment, and clear tracking for all classifications of healthcare professionals.
- Benefits: This foundational change ensures AEAWA remains scalable and inclusive, preparing it for sustainable expansion.
Redevelopment of AEAWA Website
A full audit and revision of the AEAWA website was conducted to enhance accessibility and relevance for all prospective and existing members.
- Previous Limitation: The site’s content and structure focused heavily on St John WA-specific issues, creating a barrier for those outside that organisation.
- New Features: Dedicated pages for other ambulance services have been added, outlining specific contacts, benefits, and support resources.
- Navigation: A simplified layout now helps users quickly identify the services relevant to them, streamlining the onboarding and engagement process.
Appointment of a Portfolio Manager for External Services
To ensure adequate support for incoming members from various ambulance services, the AEAWA created a dedicated Ambulance Service Portfolio.
- Leadership: This portfolio will be managed by AEA Secretary Lee Waller, who will act as the first point of contact for members from Wilson Medic One, National Patient Transport, and other Private Industry providers.
- Function: The role includes addressing workplace concerns, escalating issues to the Executive Committee, and liaising directly with service managers if necessary.
- Goal: Build trust and deliver consistent, high-quality industrial support for new member cohorts.
Recruitment of an AEAWA Industrial Officer
The AEAWA proudly announced that long-serving Executive Delegate Mr. Dave Higgins will be stepping into the role of Industrial Officer to assist with onboarding and representation for new members.
- Scope: Dave will focus on initial support requests, workplace grievances, and general advocacy while AEAWA grows its representation outside of St John WA.
- Strategic Importance: His presence will strengthen the AEAWA’s ability to deliver rapid and informed assistance to all members, regardless of employer.
Benefits for Members Across All Ambulance Services
The AEAWA continues to offer a suite of high-value benefits to all members. These include:
- ShopRite – Access to member-only retail discounts
- Professional Indemnity Insurance – Comprehensive legal cover for clinical duties
- Journey Cover Insurance – Protection during travel to/from work
- Organisational Support – Advice, representation, and workplace advocacy
- AUSMED Subscription – CPD tracking and learning resources
- Bereavement Payments – Financial support during family loss
Note on Salary Continuance: Currently exclusive to St John WA members due to the critical mass of almost 2,000 members under one employer. However, if member numbers from other providers increase, this benefit could be expanded in the future — subject to cost feasibility and insurer conditions.
Delegate Involvement from External Services
AEAWA is enthusiastic about inviting new Delegates from all ambulance services.
- Why It Matters: Delegates offer critical insight into the unique conditions and challenges faced by their workplaces. Their involvement ensures accurate representation and localised problem-solving.
- Eligibility: Any financial member of the AEAWA is welcome to nominate themselves to become a Delegate. Training and support will be provided by the Executive Committee.
Current Scope of Expanded Membership
The AEAWA is proud to report its active and growing membership base now includes professionals from:
- Wilson Medic One
- National Patient Transport
- Private sector ambulance and transport providers
Across the board, membership now spans:
- Paramedics
- Medics
- Communications Officers
- Patient Transport Officers
This reflects not only the appeal of the AEAWA’s values and services but also a growing demand for independent, workplace-specific representation across the ambulance industry.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The AEAWA Executive Committee recognises the significance of this expansion. It marks a pivotal shift from a St John WA-only model to a nationally inclusive Association ready to support all frontline ambulance professionals.
Immediate priorities include:
- Continued marketing and outreach across new services
- Exploration of benefit parity options, including salary continuance
- Delegate recruitment drives for underrepresented areas
- Ongoing updates to digital and administrative infrastructure
Meeting Concluded
15:30.
For any queries or suggestions, members are encouraged to contact the AEAWA Executive Committee via the website or by emailing [email protected].
Next Meeting
December 19th 2024; 13:30-15:30.