Not many people can say in their second week of work they were called to a crime scene where the alleged perpetrator was still on-site.
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Ambulance NSW recruit Cameron Clout had been on the job just days when he attended a property in Bathurst where the accused had been seen wielding a baseball bat in the moments preceding.
While Kelso man Jeffrey Robert O'Connor was beyond saving, the clear-headed response from the young paramedic earned him an early respect from his peers.
Mentor, Matthew Pickering, said in 21 years on the job he's never worked with such a competent trainee.
"Cam fought really hard to save that guy's life," he said.
"He was fresh out of uni and highly drilled on the processes. He ran the arrest."
The average paramedic would not be expected to step up and do that on week two
- Matthew Pickering
Likened to a project manager, Mr Clout stepped up to liaise with police, manage the crowd and ensure his fellow paramedics were working in-sync with other emergency services.
"The average paramedic would not be expected to step up and do that on week two," said Mr Pickering.
Mr Clout and Colette Finch started at Orange ambulance station this year, having graduated from Charles Sturt University and Australian Catholic University.
They have both been paired with mentors for a minimum of 12-months, with their seniors deciding when they're ready to work independently.
The senior paramedics offer advice on managing both the incidents they work together on and keeping their wits about them.
A process supported through constant team debriefs, as well as optional Chaplain, telephone counselling and psychologist visits.
Mr Clout started as an ambo after working as a nurse with Mulberry Lane Vet Hospital.
He said the adrenaline hits hardest when you arrive at a job which is unexpectedly more complicated than first thought.
"I've always been medically minded. When you're working in an uncontrollable environment it throws up a lot of challenges," he said.
Mr Clout said in his first six months he's learnt to switch off at home and value time with his partner and family.
Ms Finch said she feels safe with the reassurance of working alongside paramedic for 30-years John Ninness.
She said that doesn't always stop her thinking about her work when she's at home trying to get to sleep.
"I practice meditation and concentrating on my breathing," she said. "We're lucky in that everyone is really supportive here."
Mr Pickering said even the old timers have tough days and have had to find ways of coping.
"When I go home after a particularly nasty job my kids get an especially long cuddle," he said.
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