THINK “emergency services” and the CFA, police and ambulance quickly come to mind.
But the State Emergency Service volunteers are often thought of last despite the fact that when a person is trapped in a car they are often first on the scene.
Upper Yarra SES controller Steve Green has seen road trauma at its worst.
He has been an SES volunteer for 23 years and in charge of the road trauma team for the past 15.
Mr Green said the team of eight varies in experience and they have all been through a two-year training program of theory and intensive practical work.
The SES is called out to road crashes in which someone is trapped in their vehicle and Upper Yarra members attend about 13 incidents a year.
“The cases when there are young children probably stick in your mind the most, but seeing anyone deceased is not nice,” he said.
Mr Green said it took a certain type of person to be a part of the road trauma team, “they need to be devoted”.
“Lots of people are just happy to do the tree jobs, but it takes a different person to do road trauma,” he said.
“I’m not saying they’re not affected, but they can tolerate things better.”
There have been several cases in the last year where the volunteers, who all have first aid training, have had to keep patients alive with CPR and other medical aid until paramedics arrived.
The rescue crew also has special equipment to prise open vehicle wrecks which have trapped casualties inside them, including the hydraulic so-called Jaws of Life that have the power to cut through, bend or squash most objects on a car or truck. Sound easy enough? Add on details such as casualties with severe injuries, distraught family members and the threat of flammable materials or liquids, and Mr Green said casualties aren’t the only ones trapped.
“Emotions can get trapped at the same time,” he said.
“I need to watch the other members and see how they’re coping.”
Mr Green said often the volunteers complete their tasks on the job, “and then it hits you after”.
He said the team always went through a debrief after a critical accident.
“If a person was deceased we’ll call in an outside person to do the debriefing,” he said.
Mr Green said drivers needed to slow down and think about their actions.
“Life’s not worth it if you push the boundaries and end up dead or injured,” he said.
“Take your time and slow down a bit and think about what could happen with one silly mistake.”
