Paul
Featherstone

Dedication, determination, decisiveness, diligence and duty – all fundamental elements of emergency service; and all elements Paul Featherston consistently applied throughout his 41 year career with NSW Ambulance, plus 12 years of voluntary Service however, Paul is adamant there is another very important ingredient to service, “comprehensive care” - “When one life is in danger, many lives are changed – the victim, their loved ones and the ones who step in”.

Joining the NSW Ambulance Service in 1972, Paul has perfected his skills in rescue and recovery and emerged very early in his career as an outstanding trainer and leader. Paul pioneered the Ambulance Service’s acclaimed paramedic system, drove advanced medical care training and logistics; and conceived and developed the Service’s Special Casualty Access Team (expert response capability in hostile environments, where access presents further danger to victims and rescuers); and went on to deliver specialist training in water, cave, cliff, air/helicopter and entrapment rescue underpinned by technical excellence, teamwork, self-motivation and compassion.

Paul has had the privilege of working on joint operations and exercises with an array of our dedicated emergency services personnel, including NSW Police, NSW Fire and Rescue, the State Emergency Service, the Rural Fire Service (of which he is also a volunteer member); and numerous interstate and international rescue and government bodies. Paul has also developed and delivered training for professional volunteer and community groups.

Through it all, whether doing the rescuing or training front-line responders and leaders, Paul has lived by the creed that “everyone matters”, “you are faced with trauma, fear and isolation; you are the hope the victim and the family cling to and you are the support the rescue crew so much deserves”.

Paul has had a decorated service, he amassed ten awards and commendations for bravery and distinguished service, including the Australian Bravery Medal, the Humane Society’s Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals, Prince Phillip Helicopter Rescue Award and the Ambulance Service Medal as part of the 2007 Queen’s Birthday Honour List. Paul has also been honoured as 2007 Sutherland Shire Citizen of the Year and has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2007.

Paul has played a pivotal role in aiding multiple victims from the following major emergencies:

· Savoy Hotel Fire 1975

· Granville Rail Crash 1977

· Lewisham Hospital Fire 1980

· Royal National Park Bush Fires 1986

· Nyngan Flood 1990

· Forbes Flood 1990

· Thredbo Disaster 1997

· Wingella -Blue Mountains, Canberra Fires, Black Christmas Fires, Remote access Fire Teams.

· Special Response and risk management Operations for the Sydney Olympic Games (covering aquatic, helicopter, C.B.R., V.I.P, crowd and anti-terrorism risks)

· Aviation

· Fix Wing Operations , Helicopter Operations and Instructor

· Risk Management

· Canyon & Swift Water Access and Rescues

· Bali Bombing 2002

· December fires 2002

· Waterfall Rail Disaster 2003

· Beaconsfield Mine Rescue 2006

· Industrial accidents / protracted entrapments 2009

Since retiring from the NSW Ambulance Service, Paul has continued to dedicate himself to the lives of others including the training and care of rescuers. Some examples include:

· Serving on Team Rubicon (natural disaster relief) - response and recovery operations

· Post disaster voluntary support and elderly working group for community resilience

· Membership of, and advisor to Aviation Esoterix (a specialized Australian organization focusing on highly technical and advanced airborne rescue and medical operations)

· Medical Risk management and mitigation for the movie industry aquatic

· Leadership and mission training presentations to the Miliary

· Medical support at 1st grade NRL matches

· Rotary volunteer – awarded the Paul Harris Award for community support

· Membership with the Bravery Association

· Leadership development and mentoring for rescuers

· Work and Advisor to the Police, Police Units, Fire Rescue RFS, SES, Mines Rescue Community Rescue Units.

· Crisis Management