The SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) volunteer team at Yorketown, Minlaton, Marion Bay and Warooka are looking for volunteers to answer the call and join them, as the service launches a new community recruitment drive.

Volunteers have been speaking about the benefits of becoming a SAAS volunteer in country SA, which they said is easier than you think with the opportunity to make a difference in the community and gain life-long skills that can be used in everyday life.

Farmers and SAAS volunteers, Reece from Yorketown and Tom from Minlaton have each volunteered with SAAS for 15 years, and both have said they signed up as volunteers, after giving up playing local football.

“I signed up because playing football was becoming a bit too much for me and my young family, but I still wanted to be active in my local community,” Reece said.

Tom said after football, he was looking for a challenge and something else to do to help out in the community.

“I have learned so much about myself and others, the biggest thing for me is being able help the people in my community when things aren’t going the best for them,” Tom said.

“I find that the most rewarding part.”

For Reece, he has learned a lot about humility.

“Everyone has a time of need, I have been fortunate enough to have people who I’ve known for years and people who I’ve never met, say thank-you to me,” he said.

Whether you work full-time, are a student or retired, volunteering with SAAS can help you broaden your skillset, meet like-minded community members and make new friends.

With flexible rosters that can work around your lifestyle, you don’t always need to be at the ambulance station when on-call.

“I find SAAS is really good in understanding what you can and can’t do, and you strike up a balance,” Tom said.

“I’m a grain and sheep farmer locally, because I run my own business I can be pretty flexible in finding a good balance between work and volunteering.

“Plus the team are always willing to help out when and where they can.”

Most patients are people with chest pain, breathing problems or pre-existing medical conditions.

Of course, on some occasions there are major incidents, but these are a small portion of the work. You will always be paired with a qualified ambulance officer, who will be there to support you.

There’s no better time to answer the call and take control in an emergency, to help save the lives of others.

Interested? Call Regional Team Leader, Matthew Weatherald on 0438 803 246 or the Volunteer Support Unit on 1300 175 584 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm).

Or apply through the SAAS website: www.saasvolunteer.sa.gov.au  or email SAASvolunteer@sa.gov.au