Husband and wife celebrate 20 years in CERT

Over the past 20 years, Jeparit couple Alicia and Chris Rosewall’s quality time together often looked like donning their Ambulance Victoria (AV) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) uniforms and heading out to help their community.

This month, the pair were celebrated by AV for their unwavering commitment to giving back to their rural town.

As founding members of the Jeparit CERT, Alicia and Chris have been pivotal in delivering emergency pre-hospital healthcare in their community.

CERTs are made up of volunteer First Responders who provide support to less populated areas where there is a low ambulance caseload and no ambulance station.

Working in pairs, CERTs are dispatched to time-critical emergencies at the same time as an ambulance.

Recently, Chris and Alicia’s skills were on full display when they responded to three significant cases in the span of just 25 hours, being the first emergency crew on scene each time due to living within the town.

After assessing and reassuring a child who had been lost overnight in the bush, the pair were then called to a patient in cardiac arrest.

Working quickly, Alicia and Chris commenced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and provided three shocks from a defibrillator. After paramedics arrived, the crews were able to get the patient’s heart beating again and the patient was airlifted to hospital for further treatment.

But their hectic day didn’t stop there, with them responding to a camper having a heart attack only an hour and a half later. The couple administered lifesaving medications and monitored the patient until paramedics arrived and transported them to hospital.

Although full-on, Alicia said the day reinforced the important role her and Chris play within their community.

“We were first on scene for all three cases which is the point of having a CERT in the area,” she said.

“It’s rewarding knowing that we were able to get there quickly and provide those interventions that can really help the patient’s outcome in the long term.”

Throughout their 20 years as CERT members, Alicia and Chris have attended an array of cases including a birth, road incidents and cardiac arrests.

Alicia said while the big cases stay with you, it’s the smaller moments of just being there for someone when they need it that’s kept her part of the team for so long.

“Because Jeparit is a very small town, most people know us and when we walk into a case, we can often tell the patient is relieved to see a familiar face and know it’s someone they trust,” she said.

“So much of what we do is holding someone’s hand, giving reassurance and taking the time to be that first point of pre-hospital care when they’re having their worst moments.

“You never know when someone you love might need emergency care, and it feels good knowing I’m able to help people in my community when they need it.”

Working side by side for the past 20 years has seen Alicia and Chris develop their working relationship, with each having particular roles while out on a job. Because of their busy schedules and work rosters, Alicia joked they spend the most quality time together when in the CERT car.

Over the years the pair have watched other CERT members come and go, and are now hoping to inspire more residents to join the team.

While Chris was familiar with first aid from his role in the CFA, Alicia joined the CERT with no prior medical experience, learning everything through AV’s detailed training.

“When we first started, I worked at the supermarket and other members were mechanics, farmers and tradies. It just shows that you don’t need a medical background to sign up and make a difference, all the training is provided,” Alicia said.

Now, after two decades of service, the pair hope their story inspires others to step up.

Applicants who become CERT members will undergo a brief interview process as well as comprehensive training, including a driving course.

Becoming a First Responder with AV offers many personal benefits, including the opportunity to:

• Gain practical life skills and a recognised qualification.
• Enjoy a sense of achievement and fulfilment.
• Meet people and make new friends and connections.
• Enhance your own career prospects and learning pathways.