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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:

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Fonetta

Hello there Leo! It is great to hear from you! What part of Australia are you from? I have family in Australia. I will work on getting you some patches as long as you return the favor. I have a 20 y/o son who is a firefighter also and just became a Paramedic in August of 2008. You can e-mail me at figemt@hotmail.com for further information! Thaks

Mar 13, 2009
Wynand

My pleasure leo sorry for returning your mail now but we have been busy this weekend, had 3 drownings, 2 construction fires, 2 motorcycle accidents, 1 hit and run and 7 vehicle head on collisions.

Mar 16, 2009
Kyle Pfleiderer

Thank u leo for your kind welcome. i added you to my friends list. hope to hear from you again

Mar 16, 2009
dee

hello leo,

i hope things are well. i am actually trying to get back into an emt course or nursing to try to better my chances while applying for fire depts. i was in an accident and had to take a leave of absence off of the fire dept i was on. i am wondering if you could tell me any good emt schools that i can try to apply to in australia or around. leo your help would be greatly appreciated.. thank you kindly...dee

Mar 17, 2009
dee

Hi Leo! Thanks for your help! It's greatly appreciated. Just curious Do you know how long the programs are roughly the cost? I will try to google more info later on. Howevr I thought I would ask you..

Thanks again Leo! I hope all is well!

Mar 18, 2009
Matthew Mask

Hey Leo sorry have talked in awhile been kind of busy thanks man been good how bout you. Stay safe.

Mar 18, 2009
Jimi Ouzts

Sorry bout the delay on the reply Leo, we don't have patches at our dept. we got badges but i think the chief would get upset if i mailed mine off. i am the receiving officer though and next round of caps we do. ill send one at you. I tend to use my space a lot to keep in touch with those i know. i will try and check FFN out more often. take care, stay safe brother.
jimi

Mar 19, 2009
Brendan McCarthy

HI leo
I may be able to get my hands on some patches for you. Hope we can do a one for one exchange You can visit my new web site to.
www.emttown.net
Brendan

Mar 20, 2009
Darren Chamberlain

Hi Leo just wanted to say hi and thanks for the request.

Mar 24, 2009
Deanna

Wow Leo, wonderful pictures. I've always wanted to visit Austrailia. My husband had a chance to go when he was in the Navy. Be safe and have fun.

Mar 24, 2009
Kyle Pfleiderer

Hey Leo, how you been? my year has started pretty fast. We've been going on alot of brush fires. People havent figured out what causes it yet.
Hows the weather there? its still alittle chilly here. have fun be save

Mar 25, 2009
Mike Lintz

i have no problems sending you a patch however i wont have any untill i leave here in october

Mar 25, 2009
Benjiumen W. Denney

Hello Leo, I don't collect patches, but I will take your address and try to get you a few in the mail within a couple of weeks.

Take Care

Mar 25, 2009
FFF

Hi Leo thanks for the friends request. I’m from the lower yarra group, region 13

Mar 26, 2009
Merv Swartout

Thank you. I look forward to meeting a lot of the people that are here and touching up on some new ideas.

Mar 26, 2009
Cody McElwee

Hey thanks for the welcome, yeah as soon as I figure out the system I will add you. And if your looking for patches and stuff like that try checking out GALLS.com they have all sorts of stuff like that so I would deffinately check it out.

Mar 27, 2009
Donald Hall

Thanks for the welcome Leo, still figuring things out

Mar 27, 2009
gary l henderson

1240 regina ln
corydon IN 47112
USA

Mar 27, 2009
Terry Mummert

Hello Leo, nice to hear from you. If you provide an address, i will send you a patch.

Regards,

Terry

Mar 30, 2009
michelle powers

Hey there again. I handle all the pictures, hats, shirts, etc. I do it all plus more. There are so many patches out there. Do I need to ask before I use something from another patch? Or do you mean from our dept.? Because our dept. does not care. It is just coming up with something. I collect everything else there is. I have a great collection all over my house. I just can't get started on my patch collection.

Mar 30, 2009
ROB ELLIOTT

hey leo it was great to talk to you again and i am glad that my internet is back up again well i hope that i will get to see you at the competion that you told me about that will be held in homebush if you will need accomidation while your up here just let me know and me and my girlfriend can fix the spare room up for you,
i am really looking foward to begin the road crash rescue training with the penrith vra unit i hope that i will learn alot from the training and that i will become just as good road crash rescue operator and judge as you are talk soon and stay safe brother talk soon

Mar 31, 2009
michelle powers

Hey again... Thanks for the info what else do you collect? I collect it all and pick up extra. Maybe I have something you wouls like. I am now collecting pictures of fire trucks and pictures of fires that are neat. We have also just finished our new fire station and got all new trucks. We were running with get this a 1952 tanker. It was sweet I hated to see it go. But anyway if you have any training dvd's you can copy and pass my way. I am wanting to show our guys different things. You never know when something may come up. I work in the plants around here. And nothing suprises me anymore. If you look up where i live it is about an hour from Beaumont and an hour and half from Texas city. Texas city is where we had a plant blow up a while back. And we are surounded by oil rigs. Anyway anything you want to share I would love it.

Mar 31, 2009
Bob

gday leo ,

just back in from a MVA P/T , just added you asa friend umm i will have a look around to se if i have any badges i could send down im pretty sure i have a NSW police , and should have a NSW RFS some where

cheers

Bob

Mar 31, 2009
Dave Harrison

Thank you for the invite Brother Cartwright......By all means take a copy of my badge.....I hope to meet lotst of new Brothers and Sisters through this website.....

Cheers
Brother Harrison
Rideau Lakes Fire and Rescue

Mar 31, 2009
Marty Rutledge

Hey Leo, thanks for the welcome. I have some mates who are paramedics in Wauchope in NSW and one who is a paramedic outside Sydney. Good mates I met while motorcycling in Oz in Feb of last year. So, it's a pleasure to meet you also. Will see what I can do to get you a patch. No flights in or out of Antarctica until Aug/Sep due to weather and conditions. I look forward to more interaction with you in the future!

Mar 31, 2009
WRFD 784

I was just wondering if you have got my patch yet. It should be getting to you soon if not. Let me know.

Be Safe.
Jeremy WRFD 784

Mar 31, 2009
Terry Parker

Leo

we are currently updating our patch. When we are finished i will drop you a line if i don't forget. I work in Fire,Police and EMS so i'm pretty busy.

Mar 31, 2009
ALLAN D HALL

will se if i have any extra. been retired for 20 plus yrs . have
r a nice day

Mar 31, 2009
LEO AFD389NY

Leo, Here is my address you can mail me one then i will send you one of mine thanks a lot. Leo
LEO BELLI
18 N. FOURTH STREET
ALLEGANY,NEW YORK 14706
USA

Mar 31, 2009
ROB ELLIOTT

here is my email address leo its islandfire35@hotmail.com

Mar 31, 2009
Edwin Meyer

leo I would be honored have you as a freind. My wife and I were over in '94 for the World Fire Figthers games . my wife bowled and I won a gold medal in powerlifting. We would like to come back especialy since we are both divers now and would like to dive the great barier reef. I will try and get you a patch as soon as I can

Mar 31, 2009
Josh Dorminey

alright mine is Josh Dorminey 728 Old Salem Rd Eclectic AL 36024 but i will try to talk my chief into orderin some more and will deffinatly get one to you if he does

Apr 2, 2009
Ed Stemmer

Hey Leo, I'd be happy to send you some patches, just let me know where to send them. Iwas in Freemantle in the early 90's while in the Navy and really enjoyed your country and the people I met while there.

Apr 2, 2009
Rick VanMourik

same as below, Just e-mail me an address where i can send them toyou.

Apr 3, 2009
WRFD 784

I got your patches in the mail yesturday. Thanks a bunch.
Be Safe.
Jeremy

Apr 3, 2009
Ed Stemmer

Leo, I'll be out of town next week teaching an industrial fire fighting class. When I get back I'll put our patches in the mail. Take care and be safe.
Ed

Apr 3, 2009
barbara sparr

Greetings from Ohio, I live in the largest settlement of Amish and Menonites in the USA. If you are not famnilar with the amish community they do not belive in modern day convienences such as electricity and vehicles. My department has 2 stations fully equipt to respond to fires and squad runs. I am one of three chief's 2 fire and 1 EMS chief. I an responsible to over see 32 first responders and EMT's all who volunteer their time and talent to cover 65 square miles. I will see about patches and send your way.

Apr 3, 2009
Kevin O'Grady

Hi Leo - I mailed a patch to you today. I look forward to add one of yours to my collection.
Stay Safe Kevin

Apr 3, 2009
William James Hanford

Loe
Thank you for the wecome to the site. Please have a look at my web site which is www.fireshift.co.uk i have a few patchs,helmets to have a look at on the site.
Stay safe Will

Apr 3, 2009
Bob seward

Thanks Leo!

Apr 3, 2009
Jerry Herbst

Thanks Leo
Appreciate the welcome to the site.
Don't do patches, but will steer any I know who do your way.

Apr 4, 2009
Frank Torres

Thanks a lot brother! I will try and get my hands on some patches and some shirts. What size are you, and how many do you want? I know some people and I would love some shirts as well. Thanks again for the welcome.

Apr 6, 2009
robert

I would love to have a patch from your station an i will do the same just let me know an i will give u my adress

Apr 6, 2009
Jason

We have to order more patches.Once there in i'll be in touch.Stay safe out there.

Apr 6, 2009
Russell Peters

Hi Leo
This is Russell Peters and its a pleasure to meet you. I will send you some patches.Could you please send me a patch of your company. Please tell me where to send.
Thank You
Russell Peters

Apr 7, 2009
Jamie Martin

Hi Leo....very nice to meet you. Unfortunately the mine rescue team doesn't have patches. I wish we did. BUT....if you are interested, I would love to send you one of our mine rescue team t-shirts!!!! Let me know :)

Thanks a bunch!!!
Jamie Martin

Apr 7, 2009
Ed Stemmer

Leo, what size tee shirt do you wear?

Apr 8, 2009
Russ Griffith

Leo, sorry for the delay, the patches went out yesterday, 7 April.
Stay Safe
Russ

Apr 8, 2009
Edith Dillard

Leo, thank you for the greeting. I will pass on your request for patches. I am also adding you as a friend. Have a great day.

Apr 9, 2009
DJ Fish

Hey Leo,thanks for the comment and invite. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on a patch we just ran out but as soon as we get some we'll have to trade. have a great day and be safe.

Apr 10, 2009

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