Saving Lives … Alan Mercer is Altona’s resident paramedic. 59169 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Vanessa Chircop
Alan is a paramedic based at the Altona North station.
He has been working for Ambulance Victoria for eight years and despite the intensity that comes with being a paramedic Alan said that he feels privileged to be in the position to help people.
The importance of the job is not lost on Alan.
“Occasionally there are jobs that are very confronting,” he said.
“I suppose it would be more concerning if people didn’t get affected by the job.”
Despite his eight years there are some jobs that Alan could never get used to.
“Suicides are the most distressing jobs – because generally its young people who have their whole life ahead of them and for whatever reason have decided to end their life.”
However it’s not all doom and gloom and the moments where Alan gets to assist in saving a life are the ones he holds onto.
“Certainly delivering babies has been a highlight for me.”
Alan has assisted in delivering seven babies – some by the side of a freeway.
“The happiness of helping to bring a new little baby into the world stays with you.”
Alan is now a Clinical Instructor, mentoring graduate paramedics.
“I find it really rewarding seeing people start in the job when they’re fairly unsure of themselves and inducting and helping them get a grip on the job and seeing them go from day one to qualifying.”
Alan said though it does bother him when people call for an ambulance when they really don’t need one – it bothers him more when people who do need an ambulance don’t call for one.
“There’s certainly an element and a cross section of people who will call and ambulance for minor ailments when they don’t really need an emergency ambulance.
“On the flip side there are some people who don’t want to bother the ambulance service and we wish they would.”
