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North Coast welcomes ‘sea change’ AC When it comes to executive management roles within the ambulance industry, the QAS North Coast Region Assistant Commissioner position would have to be high on the list as one the best, and most soughtafter, jobs across Australia. Not only does it offer an opportunity to join one of the world’s leading ambulance services, it also offers an idyllic lifestyle located within a region that covers the coastal areas from the Sunshine Coast north to Bundaberg and inland to the Burnett area. Stephen Gough was appointed to the position in late August and knows he is on a good wicket. “The QAS is a rapidly changing organisation at the forefront of the delivery of pre-hospital care utilising modern technology and systems,” Stephen said. “The North Coast Region offers a lot of opportunity as it develops an expanding range of service models in partnership with the community. “I have always had a real interest in coming to work in Queensland. Apart from the weather, the size and diversity of the State is quite different to where I have worked in recent years.” Stephen brought a wealth of experience to QAS, having spent 27 years in the ambulance industry in both NSW and Victoria. “During that time, I have worked in front-line clinical roles, staff development, education, communications and a range of management positions at various levels,” he said. “One of the highlights of my career was a period as the Secretary of the industry’s peak body, the Council of Ambulance Authorities, including representation on various national committees to further ambulance education, clinical practice and rural pre-hospital care. “The ambulance industry has moved ahead very rapidly, particularly over the past 10 years and it has been great privilege to have been able to be an active contributor to that change.” Stephen is the first to admit that his new role presents a number of challenges as he leads a region faced with unprecedented population growth as it continues to attract ‘sea-changers’ and retirees to its idyllic lifestyle. “My immediate priorities are to meet as many of the regional staff as possible over the next few months and to gain a good understanding of the specific operations of the QAS, as well as look at the current issues facing the region in Kawana Beach, Sunshine Coast. Photo courtesy Tourism Queensland. Stephen Gough is busy settling into his new role and meeting staff across the North Coast Region. continuing to meet increasing demand for services,” he said. “The QAS also has a number of key strategic priorities that need to be delivered over the next 12 months including the delivery of a range of enhanced clinical skills training programs, moving to an electronic ambulance report form, upgrading the current computer aided dispatch system and improving workplace safety as part of the department’s zero harm focus. “I am also keen to meet and talk with LAC members, community representatives and other emergency services colleagues as I travel throughout the region.” QAS priorities aside, Stephen is also planning on keeping busy exploring and enjoying the region with his family over the coming months. “The Queensland lifestyle is just fantastic. Queensland has so much to offer, so much to see and so much to do,” he said. “I haven’t spent a lot of time in Queensland in the past, however my family and I are looking forward to getting out on the weekends and making the most of the many opportunities that are available. There really is something here for any interest.” www.emergency.qld.gov.au EMERGENCY October 2006 2
Directive to streamline recruitment It’s 08:30 on Monday morning, you have an extremely busy week ahead, and one of your key staff members has just handed in their resignation. Ever had this problem? What’s worse is the perception that recruitment processes are arduous, time-consuming and stressful. Or are they? The exciting news for the Department of Emergency Services is that the Office of the Public Service Commissioner recently released the 04/06 Recruitment and Selection Directive. Human Resource Services Director Geraldine Cavallo said the new directive offered an exciting new opportunity for DES to significantly revise its talent attraction, recruitment and selection processes. “The goal of this review is to capitalise on the directive and create new and innovative approaches as well as a simplified and more effective recruitment process,” she said. “Those involved in recruiting staff will have much greater freedom and choice in how to attract and select candidates. “This is a great opportunity for Emergency Services to become a true employer of choice.” Geraldine said panels would be able to design their own tailored and creative selection processes, reduce the number of hurdles in the application process and reduce the administrative burden usually associated with processing recruitment. As an example, candidates would no longer be required to address lengthy selection criteria and panels could replace complicated weighting and rating processes with simpler selection techniques and selection recommendations. Queensland Ambulance North Coast Region Area Director Craig Emery said the new directive would give the department a great opportunity to react quickly to vacancies. “A creative advertising approach, followed by a streamlined selection process with straightforward paperwork requirements, means that we will be able to recruit quality candidates in a timeframe competitive with the private sector,” he said. Australia Day nominations sought Nominations are now being sought for the 2007 Australia Day Achievement Medallions and Appreciation Certificates. The Australia Day Achievement Medallions are a proud part of the department’s tradition of recognising excellence and distinguished service to those people who achieve best practice in their particular field of endeavour. In 2006, 190 recipients were presented with Australia Day Achievement Medallions and 14 recipients with Australia Day Appreciation Certificates. In selecting nominees for the Australia Day Achievement Medallion, particular emphasis should be placed on identifying staff and volunteers who have provided: • A significant contribution either to, or in support of, the delivery of emergency services in Queensland over the past 12 months; and/or • a significant commitment to the provision of outstanding service within their respective division over the past 12 months. In selecting nominees for the Australia Day Appreciation Certificate, particular Division Contact Phone Email emphasis should be placed on identifying: • Organisations that have provided outstanding support to the department over a period of time; and/or • supportive employers that have demonstrated a consistent commitment to auxiliary staff and volunteers attending emergency service callouts. Nominations must be submitted to divisional contact officers by Friday November 3. Divisional Contact Officers are listed below. Queensland Ambulance Service Terry Beitz 07 3247 8349 tbeitz@emergency.qld.gov.au Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Chris Woutersz 07 3247 8078 cwouters@emergency.qld.gov.au Emergency Management Queensland Gen Fox 07 3247 8489 genfox@emergency.qld.gov.au Business Support Services Darlene Graham 07 3247 8605 drgraham@emergency.qld.gov.au Strategic Policy and Executive Services Gemma Sheahan 07 3247 8783 gsheahan@emergency.qld.gov.au 26 EMERGENCY October 2006 www.emergency.qld.gov.au
Page 1 and 2: Photo by Michael Marston Emergency
Page 3 and 4: From the Minister After the recent
Page 5 and 6: Firefighters from Petrie, Deception
Page 7 and 8: Emergency Management Queensland’s
Page 9 and 10: Photos by Mark Cross Research uncov
Page 11 and 12: Ambulance Week 2006 Ambulance Week
Page 13 and 14: Make-up a serious business for Nick
Page 15 and 16: Aero-medical resources critical for
Page 17 and 18: 1 EMERGENCY October 2006 www.emerge
Page 19 and 20: “It is wonderful to have evidence
Page 21 and 22: EMQ managing Aussie generosity afte
Page 23: New QAS first aid manual launched T
Page 27 and 28: Indigenous PTO course a success Whe
Page 29 and 30: In brief Variety Bash Firefighters
Page 31 and 32: Maroochydore farewells John Hall In
Page 33 and 34: 10 things you didn’t know about
Page 35 and 36: Clinical challenge By Drew Hebbron,
Page 37 and 38: Station Officer Andrew Sturgess and

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