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Leo Cartwright

Traralgon Victoria

Australia

Profile Information:

Type of Organization: EMS/Rescue Squad/Hospital EMS - Paid
Job Function: Retired
Years in Fire/EMS:: 37 yrs
Primary Fire/EMS Department:: Retired \ Communications Centre
Years With Department/Agency: 37
Dept. Web Site:: http://ambulance.vic.gov.au
Web Site:: http://ses.vic.gov.au
Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations: The SES as mentioned is locally responsible for Road Crash Rescue; Land Search; Boating Search; Flood and Storm damage and recovery.
Very few Fire Services out side Metropolitan Melbourne carry out Road Crash Rescues in this state.
Its different over here where Fire Services are not combined in all rescues as it is in the USA. The Fire Service; Ambulance Services; Police and State Emergency Service are separate identities, but at the end of the day they work well together.
My Training:: Good Heavens where do I start: I have always had the sight to help as a young boy of 17 I joined St John Ambulance, (a well known volunteer organisation around the world) There I have given some 27yrs broken service to them and the community. At 18 I was a volunteer FireFighter with the Noble Park Fire Brigade. So both of these took up most of my time as a youth; Not Boring U yet??
At 25 I joined the Ambulance Service Victoria (Peninsula) and the rest is history.
This work became to involved and I gave the FireFighting away, but there will aways be a Light there for every FireFighter no matter where. 911 was a good example of where FireFighters past and present felt the sadness and related to the senseless of it it all.
About Me:: Yes I am married still to my first wife, ( I hope I do not have to explain that) I am a Justice of the Peace for the State of Victoria. I Like to collect shoulder Patches/Service Badges from all over the world, so feel free to contact me and send as many as U like.
I Became O.I.C. of the Traralgon Ambulance Station 1989. Involved in Paramedic challenges Vs other Paramedics. Lectured at Monash University for Paramedic Students. Involved in Training of new students paramedics. Managed a First Aid department for the Ambulance Service where FA courses were taught to the general public and Companies. Return to on the Road work, injured my back severally and now work full time in our 000 (911) Communication Centre.
I am a World accredited Medical Assessor for Road Crash Rescue. In July 2008 traveled to Wales (UK) and assessed 30 teams in 3 days.
I don't seam to have much time for the outdoors anymore, anyway the days of lying on the ground staring at the stars are over thanks to my back injury.
Day Job:: Retired Paramedic
Relationship Status:: Married
Facebook or Other Online Profile:: http://lecart1@bigpond.com
Why I Joined Fire/EMS: Was a volunteer firefighter, then had an inkling to join the emergency services. I then joined Ambulance Service Victoria. I was stationed at Dandenong outside of Melbourne then moved to my present address in regional country Victoria in 1986.
From there on the story grows bigger and bigger, It a life I wouldn't change for the world.
Why I Love Fire/EMS: self satifaction, The spark it puts in my life.
Top Issues Facing Responders:: Like most emergency services; We the Worker are our own worst enemy when it comes to recognition of of our work in the public eye.
Non recognition of staff by non operational senior management.
Wages will always be an issue, never enough.

Comment Wall:

Load Previous Comments

Terry Smith

Hey Leo, thanks for the request. 30yrs service! Fantastic! I wish I could have made it to that number. That was my plan. As with Sean, you are my first contact from Australia. Although, I do have a cousin in New Zealand. Does that count? If I had his salary I'd be flying over there for a visit. Might even have a few cousin's in Australia? My wife does.
Keep up the good work, and stay safe!

Terry

Oct 8, 2008
Brian

Hey Leo, I just wanted to touch base with you. I am going to take my FF1 this fall. Stay safe out there.
Brian

Oct 13, 2008
Roy

G'day Leo, good to be able to touch base with " home", born is Frankston and moved not by choice) to the netherlands at the age of 15, its always great to meet up with people from back home.

Still working my way through the FFN site and enjoying it :-)

Be safe!

Regards Roy

Oct 13, 2008
Matt

Greetings from the US. Always good to see brothers from around the world.

Stay safe.

Matt

Oct 13, 2008
Roy

G'day Leo, we left Frankston in 75, not my choice by the way altough I now understand the decision to do thinggs the way my parents did. I have been back once so far, in 2000 on the exact day I left I touched ground again in Frankston. Surrealistic to say the least, in a way time had stood still and in many others things had indeed changed enormously. I had been a mamber of St Johns there from my12th and more or less accidently ended up working for a taxi company who also owned a couple of ambulances. Two days into the job and I was asked to assist on a call, that was twenty years ago, never got of the ambulance again. Studies, trianing, education throughout the years have enabled me to do what I do nowadays in the major city of Amsterdam. With literally 176 different cultures in this city you can probably imagine what kinds of challenges we come across and it still is fun to do. I must say however that we currently are experiencing more and more aggression towards paramedics on the job, something that needs attention and makes you stop and wonder what kind of world we live in. Still no vests or weapons and I hope it will never be needed, for me that would probably be the turning point in my career (bravely said of course, because we all know that this job is a chronic disease) But it does make me think about things. I still enjoy the possibility to make a difference and hope to do so for a long long time.

Regards Roy

Oct 14, 2008
Daniel Robert Garvin

Hey Leo! I got your message and have sent you an e-mail! Stay safe out there..

Daniel

Oct 14, 2008
Michael

Hey Leo
That would be great to trade patches i have a medic 10 medic 12 medic 13 company patches . which one would u like to trade for.

Oct 14, 2008
Niels Dehaemers

I have only marking of ambulance
I collect stuff only ambulance
e-mail me

Oct 15, 2008
LEO AFD389NY

LEO, I WILL EMAIL YOU MY ADDRESS. WHEN I RECIEVE YOUR PATCH I WILL SEND ONE OUT TO YOU. THANKS. HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE. LEO

Oct 15, 2008
scott wagle

leo , our dept. is out of patches right now we are in the process of geting some made .i will let you know when they are done thanks scott

Oct 16, 2008
Daniel Robert Garvin

Hey Leo! I just sent another one in lower case...I hope this one get's through. Stay safe my friend. In the event that it does not reach you, my e-mail is garvin.family@sympatico.ca

Cheers!!
Daniel

Oct 17, 2008
Karl Campbell

Hi Leo, how are things "Down under"?

Oct 18, 2008
Beben

Hey Leo, it's nice to see you. by the way this is my postal address. Jl.Veteran gg.Sempati No.7 Rt.30 Banjarmasin 70232 Indonesia.
stay safe my friend, God Bless You

Oct 21, 2008
Sarah Turner

That'd be great, I can send you a St. Andrew's patch back as well...

Oct 21, 2008
Sakkie

Hi Leo, I love your country. i've been in Hay in 2004, working on a farm. It remind me a lot of home. Herewith my Postal address. Sakkie Greyling, PO Box 10250, George, 6530, South Africa. I will send you one aswell. Looking forward to your reply. Is there a lot of vacancies in your region and where can I apply.

Oct 21, 2008
Dennis Brown

Hi Leo thanks for the invite i will send home post asap. but we are dealing with a big brush fire thats been burnning for two days now we got high winds in the forcast for today so ill be busy on this on i will get back to you on this and nice to meet you i would like to hear what going on in your part of the world
Dennis F.F. new jersery southen part.be safe out there

Oct 22, 2008
Dominic Mayer

got your message just trying to set up will contact you again

Oct 22, 2008
Denise

Hi Leo, thanks for the friend invite.... I'm very new to this site....you were my first friend!!! You have lots of neat info and pics on your site here! I'll send you an email with my address shortly! Cheers!

Oct 23, 2008
Donald Canterbury

Thanks for the request. I will see what I can do about a patch. Take care and stay safe.

Oct 24, 2008
lisa

THANKS FOR THE FRIEND REQUEST I WILL SEE ABOUT A PATCH,AND HOW MUCH ARE T-SHIRTS,LOL I HAVE EMS AND FIRE SHIRTS AND I WILL PAY FOR IT.
TAKE CARE AND STAY IN TOUCH,MAY GOD BE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Oct 25, 2008
GHOSTMAN

THANKS BRO, MAIL ON DA WAY! KEEP IT REAL! G

Oct 26, 2008
Lenin Flores Rossmann

Hello tahks for the offer, i´ll send my postal adress soon.

Oct 27, 2008
Joel Sumrall

I will try to get some stuff together.

Hey, check out my pics and video. I took these on a trip to NY, when my Daughter went and danced in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Oct 27, 2008
Luis

Hi Leo !! Not a big "patch culture" here , I will try to gather some patches fron the Army ( Helos, Tactical EMS , etc) . I will ever remember the good friends from Metro Fire Brigade ( Melbourne ) who assisted us in hard times ( Big interface fires ) in Bariloche city ( Patagonia ) . Let me tell you that I use to proudly wear my Saint John Amb. tie bar !! ;O)
Kind regards , Luis.

Oct 28, 2008
Len

Hi Leo
Due to security reasons they really frown on us trading patches. I realize you being in Australia there isn't much chance you trying to gain access to the installation with the patch but I could get into problems. Here "Force Protection" is a big thing especially right now that the German government has sent a warning about a terrorist cell is active here.
Take Care
Len

Oct 29, 2008
Daniel Robert Garvin

Hi Leo! I got your patch today and I am sending you something in return. Thanks for the patch, I hope you like what I am sending! Stay safe my friend!!!

P.S. If you can get your hands on a fire-rescue patch like the one in your photo number 14 I could send you a fire patch from here in excahnge.
Daniel

Oct 30, 2008
Daniel Robert Garvin

G'day Leo...we must have faith brother...for what else is there?? Your patch should be arriving soon...I hope! Stay safe!

Cheers,
Daniel

Oct 30, 2008
Wesley Hickman

I have tried to email you but am having difficulty doing so. Try to email me at wh2957@yahoo.com (WH2957@YHAOO.COM)

Oct 30, 2008
Matthew Murphy

thanks for the invite. as far as patches goes are department is newly forming so we don't really yet cause the fire and rescue departments merged together but i do have one of the old Mount Jackson Rescue Squad patches if your interested let me know @ murphy.21@hotmail.com

Oct 30, 2008
Dennis Brown

Hi Leo got your patch ready just need address
Dennis

Oct 31, 2008
adel

Hi Leo got your patch ready just need address
msn

Nov 2, 2008
Dennis Brown

Good day Leo had to say that no i did not get your mail yet so ill send it out asap thanks and be safe Dennis

Nov 3, 2008
Dennis Brown

Hi Leo just 1 ? how many patches have you trade so far if i may ask

Nov 3, 2008
Tim

Hi Leo,

Sorry for the delay in getting you a patch. I have some now so if youre interested in swapping, here is my address:

Timothy Gash
5140 Patrick Lane
Osage Beach,Missouri 65065 USA

Take care and talk to you soon!!

Nov 3, 2008
Dave Marshall

Hi Leo...pleasure to meet you. I am interested in exchanging patches. I will send my address to your email. Talk to you soon.

Nov 3, 2008
Barb Leonard

Thanks for the add and I will email that info...I am assuming you mean our patch? Thats would be super!

Nov 3, 2008
Jimmy Dunn

Hey Leo,Mate
I will send you along our EMS patch straight away.
I am at:
Jimmy Dunn
315 River Road
Branchburg, NJ 08876
USA

Nov 4, 2008
firebuffgal

Nice to meet you, Leo!

Nov 4, 2008
Dave Fritchie

Leo,
Dave from Japan (by way of the USA). I work for the US Government more specifically the US Marine Corps. I will be happy to send you a patch. As I am preparing to leave the island of Okinawa and return to California (my home) I will send you my address there:
Dave Fritchie
6372 Markley Way
Carmichael, CA 95608
USA
Nice to meet you. I have a cousin with Law Offices in Sydney. Have never been there, but would love to someday !!

Nov 4, 2008
Marcko Osuna

thanks 4 the add , grettings from the north border of Mexico
b safe out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 4, 2008
Jonathan Spencer

Hi Leo, It's nice to meet you. I will send you an email with my information for exchanging patches. By the way please can you send me some pictures of your fire truck (picture scania).
Thanks and be safe.
jonsinric@yahoo.com

Nov 5, 2008
Erin Young

Thanks Leo, unfortunetly I do not have any patches to send you at this time, but I will let you know as soon as I do. I am still very new to the department, but the guys have been really great in helping me - Haz Mat courses in Dec., Fire 1 in the spring, and as a result of my persistently expressing interest in driving Engine 47 (annoying is probably more accurate) the Capt. has set up a time for me to train so that I can get a Q-Restriction -a non-commercial CDL, I don't know what they call it in Australia. Anyway, I'm sory to be so lnog-winded, it's great to meet you and I hope to stay in touch. Take care!

Nov 5, 2008
Ray Mc Grane

hey Leo Just want to say sorry i didnt get back to you my compouter and broadband was off air for a while and I have it sorted out again, soory i missed your Dublin trip could of had a few Guinness with you there , but I hope you enjoyed your stay an hopefully you be back and we will have a pint then ok, take care stay safe

Ray Dublin Ireland

Nov 5, 2008
TrainingTECH1

Leo,

Thanks for invite. Unfortunatly, I don't really have access to getting patches through the department. Our uniform shop gets them direct.

Nov 7, 2008
Vicky Padua

hello Leo! thanks for inviting me as your friend... i hope you share your ideas reagarding our field of work . im eager to learn more.....

Gods speed....MABUHAY!!!!

Nov 7, 2008
LUIS RAMIREZ

hi leo.Look at your photos that estan in the site web.me pleases the fire truks and ambulancias.note that they use equipments of hydraulic cut holmatro.in my station also we have holmatro.I'm interested that you tell me which is your function in the fire Station.

Nov 7, 2008
João Morais

Hi Leo.
Thanks about your comment. Ok. I send to you by email my address and send also a patched of my volunter fire department. Sorry about my english... lol.
Hope to trade information with you and the newest friends here in ffn

Stay safe.

Nov 7, 2008
Matthew Murphy

hey Leo i am sorry you couldnt get my email to work. how about you end me your email and i will try to message you

Nov 8, 2008
Tony Janke

Hey Leo thats sounds great thanks. My address is 962 CR 351 El Campo, Tx 77437. Let me know yours and I'll send you my station and department patch.
Thanks
Tony Janke

Nov 9, 2008
Slobodan

Hay Leo,

thanks for nice welcome! Sorry but I am not shure I understadn what you mean ? :)
can you please explain it to me again ?

Nov 10, 2008

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