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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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Dennis Beach

Hi leo how are you my names dennis from ontario Canada Iv been a FF for 5 years and love every minute of it . And yes i am interested in trading patches I will send you one as soon as i can ok talk to you later thanks

Apr 10, 2009
Tony Nightingale

Hi Leo, I'll certainly sent you patch and could you do the same? We have a wall full of patches in our fire station but none from Australia. Thanks Brother!
Tony Nightingale, 500 Gauvin Road, Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada, E1A 1M8

May 4, 2009
Michael

Hey Bro
I got the patch today. Thanks it looks great. I will send yours out this week. Please let me know when u get it.

May 5, 2009
gary l henderson

got the patch thanks and let me know when you get ours.

May 7, 2009
Previn

Hey Leo! Thanks for the welcome! FFN reminds me of the good old days of meaningful chatter back in the station...when firefighters were just that!
I also happen to be 'a collector of our traditions and besides the usual patches, I collect model fire engines, helmets, old nozzles..anything that would hopefully make a rookie realise that this is more than just a job when he looks at the cabinets of tradition! Have a few of Victoria patches infact!...got them whilst I was working in Durban Fire when we played host to the 1998 World Firefighter Games.

May 7, 2009
Paul

Hy Leo. Let meknow if your ever up this way. Would be nice to chat. Maybe you can come by and ride for the day. Be safe.

May 9, 2009
newtz

hey leo sorry bout the long delay to respond back...ya no i some how ended up with a Australian volunteer coast gaurd patch...are they located around the entire country?

May 9, 2009
LEO AFD389NY

Leo i received your patch on Thursday, it was very nice thanks. I sent one of ours out to you on Saturday 5-09 2009 you should be receiving it soon. again thanks very much, leo

May 10, 2009
John Moore

Hi Leo, how are things their, we are getting readt for wildland season in nevada,

May 11, 2009
OREFICE ALDO

hi ... thanks for drop me a mail .. yes of course i add you in my friends ..
take care Bro..
aldo from France

May 12, 2009
Michael

for some reason the patch i sent u was returned. It said insufficient address.
Leo James Catwright
246 Kay Street
Traralgon 3844
Justice for the Peace Victoria
Australia

What did I put wrong?

May 13, 2009
Mikaël

Hello Leo. Thank You for your invitation. Would yo please send me some pics or give me adress of website with pics from your fabulous country. My wife would love to go in Australia. Maybe one day, why not?

May 14, 2009
Russ Griffith

Leo, how's things your way? have you recieved the patches yet? Johannes said he hasn't gotten the one i sent and they all went out the same day.If they haven't made it to you by now let me know and I'll try to send two more out,our mail service is at times eratic to put it mildly.
Stay Safe
Russ

May 15, 2009
James Marshall

Hey Leo

Thanks for the welcome. I hpe all is well down under. You have a wonderful country. I spent 10 weeks down there and had the time of my life. Have a VB for me.

James Canada

May 15, 2009
pete

thank you

May 16, 2009
Tom Farley

Thanks for the welcome. It is cool having a friend from Australia. When I was in Iraq, we hung out with some Australian Army guys, they were cool as hell. Plus they were tough as nails when it came to the fight. Glad to add you as a friend.

Tom

May 19, 2009
Kevin O'Grady

Hi Leo -Just want to let you know I recieved your patch today, thks.
Be safe Kevin

May 19, 2009
FF C.Swan

Hey thanks for the welcoming...
How is the fire service in Australia going?

May 20, 2009
DAVID MACKAY

Thanks Leo im a retained firefighter in the west coast of Scotland

May 20, 2009
Michael

I tried to resend it again. They said the postage was right. But yeah I am the guy standing next to the 2 gals by the ambulance. And the guy net to the girl with the bird.

May 22, 2009
Russ Griffith

Leo, I will be sending another set of patches this week, this time from the post office since none of the 5 patches I sent out made it to their destinations,I apologize for the delay.
Stay Safe

May 27, 2009
Jim Brunelle Jr.

Leo,
I'd love to swap a patch with you.

May 28, 2009
Russ Griffith

patch went out today

May 28, 2009
mike andrews

Hey Leo, I'm a firefighter in Texas and I would like to trade patches with you. Also I would like to add you as a friend, vice-versa.
Your friend, Mike

May 29, 2009
mike andrews

Hey Leo, I'm a firefighter in Abilene, Texas and I would like to trade patches with you. Also would like to add you as a friend and vice-versa.
Look forward to hearing from you. Mike

May 29, 2009
langer

sorry for the delay gettin back to ye but it was actually sunny here for a change so made the most of it. i dont have any patches at the mo but will try and organise some and sort out sending you some on . cheers

Jun 2, 2009
DAVID MACKAY

next time your in scotland leo come to the highlands

Jun 6, 2009
Russ Griffith

My avatar to the left is my patch

Jun 6, 2009
Alan Small

I'll try to send one. New to to this

Alan

Jun 6, 2009
Miguel Ochoa

Thanks Leo, I'm heading to our uniform(s) department tomorrow to pick up my wildland gear. I'll look for a patch for you. In our department, firefighters aren't issued uniform patches. The only personnel that are issued them are the medics. I'll look for one though..Take care, and be safe.. - Miguel, IAFF Local 798

Jun 7, 2009
Robin Scott-Davis

Thanks Leo, I will see what I can do to get you a patch. Play safe!
Robin
Leeds & 1000 Islands Fire and Rescue

Jun 7, 2009
Dwayne Soblosky

Hi Leo ,
I too collect patches , and I would be more than happy to trade with you!

Jun 7, 2009
David Pleiss

Hi Leo,
thanks a lot for your welcome.
I try to get a patch for you. I have a german patch for you but not from my fire department. Give me time and you get your german fire patch !!!
I hope you have a save and great week!
Take Care brother,

David Pleiss
Germany

Jun 8, 2009
Russ Griffith

The picture that identifies me on the site is my patch and the patch went out last week. I know that so far 2 of the 3 patches have made it to their destinations this time, one to Canada and one to South Africa so hopefully yours should be showing up soon.
Stay Safe
Russ

Jun 10, 2009
michael shane burgess

Hi leo I could send you one of uor old patches for now and ill see what i can do about some more for you. cheers

Jun 16, 2009
JohnRae

Glad to hear from you. Thank you for the welcome. At this point I am not too active on this site, I do not have a lot of time for it now. I have my job, my motorcycle Clubs and my family and grand son. I will try to be more active and get you as a friend and I to like traiding Patches.

Jun 24, 2009
ickson peteres

thankz 4 the well come no problem i'am presently aerodrome fire fighter at v c bird international i do collect patches and badges al so looking forward to trade patches stay in touch and i'll do what i can

Jun 26, 2009
mike andrews

I've sent you a couple of patches. Expect to receive them soon.
Good luck mate.

Jun 28, 2009
Carl

Thanks for the warm welcome :) Carl

Jun 29, 2009
amilcar arana

thanks fot the warm welcome. I have some patches of the guatemala fire dept. I´ll email you some pics of them and the you´ll tell me what you think of them.

Jun 29, 2009
Reggie Anglin

no problem my friend, will ask to be added to your friends

Jun 30, 2009
ickson peteres

k, send me one of your patches of your unit
V C Bird International Air Port
fire station
Antigua W.I

Jul 2, 2009
Christopher Hubmer

I will send one out next week. Can you send me one? Email me at puppetdzhc@yahoo.com for the address.

Jul 3, 2009
Rumen Kalev Nedelchev

Thank You for your opinion. I worked in Bulgarian Fire System 27 years. Now i live in USA.I came here before 3 mouths ago. I saw your profile and I liked it. In Bulgaria I was chief in Firestation in Town of Kubrat. It's my pleasure to be a friend with you.
Rumen

Jul 19, 2009
Laurel

Thanks for the welcome, Leo! You have quite an interesting resume too. I am not really in to the 'collecting' thing but I'll see what I can do about finding some to send to you, OK? Stay safe!!

Jul 20, 2009
nayn

what's the name of the person you talked with???

Aug 19, 2009
Chantel Lee Elsworthy

heyy yer ill add you wow your a paramedic iwanna be a paramedic too but you need yr 12 which i dont have which sucks well cya and ill add you

Aug 24, 2009
Manuel Ortega

Hello Leo, my name is Manuel Ortega. I live in Avon, Colorado (volunteer FF, and EMT-Basic) I grew up in Chile (kind of down under) but have lived here for the last 14 yrs. or so. I joined the military after Sept. 11, wish I would have gone the Fire way then as many of my friends did. But better later than never. I will try to send you some patches from our stations here and from my high school buddie's stations back home in Santiago, Chile. I am trying to grow some (you know what) and go for my paramedic degree here soon (I have an interview with the local ambulance service next week) if I start working with them I will probably do it (scared to take it without working as one). Good luck, from here. We got a ton of Aussies here, most from Melbourne for some reason!

Aug 26, 2009
Manuel Ortega

Nice training center for extrication! Wish we had that kind of facilities here. Good stuff, sometimes I wish people here were a little more opened minded on the rest of the world! Greetings.

Aug 26, 2009
robert brown

ILL DO THAT MAN

Aug 31, 2009

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