THE WHITSUNDAYS’ newest paramedic has been honoured with an Ambulance Service Medal.
Erin Saltmarsh arrived in the region on January 19, following a long and distinguished career with the Ambulance Service.
But, luckily for the Whitsundays, Erin, 41, wants to continue as an on-road paramedic.
“I have gone back to what I love,” Ms Saltmarsh said.
“I have given up my Senior Operations Supervisor role and gone back to being on the road.”
Ms Saltmarsh, who is living in Jubilee Pocket, said she chose the Whitsundays because her son Zac, 14, really likes it!
“The Whitsundays is central to a lot of go-karting events, which is my son’s passion,” she said.
“He loves the fact there’s a go-karting track in Proserpine. So, you could say he chose the spot.
“I just had to rearrange my career around that!”
Ms Saltmarsh was previously Queensland Ambulance Service’s Longreach Senior Operations Supervisor.
She is one of two paramedics who received an Ambulance Service Medal (ASM) as part of the Australia Day 2024 Honours List.
Officer Saltmarsh was recognised for her emergency response leadership for large remote events such as the Big Red Bash, at Birdsville, for natural disaster response, and for her passion in supporting her remote teams with their work.
The ASM recognises distinguished service as a member of an Australian ambulance service.
Officer Saltmarsh’s distinguished ambulance career with QAS began 14 years ago as a paramedic at Mackay Ambulance Station, before being promoted to Office-in-Charge (OIC) while working at Finch Hatton, in 2012.
She then moved to Mackay as Officer in Charge, where she stayed until 2022, when she was promoted to Central West District’s Longreach-based SOS role.
During this time, Officer Saltmarsh developed her skills as one of QAS’s emergency response leaders, being recognised for her exemplary large event planning and management and her ability to bring together all stakeholders to ensure events ran safely and with a high standard of medical care to patrons.
“I love the unpredictability of these events, but I also really like the planning because if you put the effort into a good plan, it will normally go well, but if you fail to plan, then you can encounter problems,” Ms Saltmarsh said.
“I always like to look back on previous events, looking at what went well, what didn’t and what we can do to improve each year as we move forward.”
