OUR AMAZING AMBO
AS a teenager straight out of high school, Ron Baars signed on as a cadet with his local ambulance service and never looked back.
For more than 45 years the Geelong local has served the community through his lifesaving work as a paramedic.
Mr Baars, who was based at Belmont until his recent retirement, believes he has helped about 30,000 people since his first day on the job in January 1972.
“I knew nothing about (paramedicine), but I was offered a cadetship with the then Geelong and District Ambulance Service, so I decided to go for it. The rest is history,” he said.
“I was pleasantly surprised. It was certainly a job that grew on me.”
The now 64-year-old finished his training as a grade three officer in 1974 and worked his way up to become an Advanced Life Support paramedic.
He spent all but one of his years based in Geelong.
“I liked going to work — the camaraderie with my workmates and the ability to help people,” Mr Baars said.
“Being able to go to people in distress, calm the situation, treat and deliver them to hospital in an improved state is satisfying.”
Over his career he has seen the evolution of the Victorian ambulance service.
“With developments in equipment, technology and medications, it’s a continual learning process,” Mr Baars said.
He said while he had been offered other career opportunities, he was glad he stayed in paramedicine.
“The job has certainly taught me a lot about the value of life and how fragile it can be,” he said.
The paramedic has been nominated for the Pride of Australia award for his significant service to the community.
Mr Baars said the best advice he had for those considering joining the profession was to enjoy helping people and be aware it involved shift work.
“You do suffer a little in terms of family, but it’s a small price to pay,” he said.
Mr Baars said he was looking forward to having more time to make memories with his family during retirement.
“I was really happy in the job, but I was ready to finish working,” he said.
“I want to see my three granddaughters grow up.”