A father and son from Laurieton have featured in a new television series ‘Recruits Paramedics’ which airs on Channel 10.
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Peter Versluis, a paramedic since 1980, has worked at the Laurieton ambulance station for 18 years.
Son Dan, 23, is now following in his footsteps and is one of six young trainee paramedics the ‘Recruits’ documentary series follows.
Dan’s agrees the vocation must be in his blood. His mother Elizabeth is a nurse and father Peter has been a paramedic for 32 years.
“I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” he said.
After leaving Camden Haven High School, Dan knew he wanted a career in health services and trained as a nurse at John Hunter Hospital.
“You definitely have to want to help people. It is not something you just walk into,” Dan said.
Paramedic training is intensive, even for a registered nurse. The pressure is relentless and no doubt having a television crew filming over his shoulder made the first few days on the job even harder.
Like most of the trainees featured on the program, Dan was nervous about how he would react on the job, despite being brought up by parents in the same line of work.
Labelled a “country boy” by the series producers, Dan has found himself in some interesting situations. The first show saw him dealing with the trauma of a double hit and run pedestrian accident.
He also responded to a call for help from a Kings Cross nightclub dancer, whose gender was a bit of a mystery to Dan and his colleague.
The way in which he handled himself showed a great deal of tact and maturity.
For Peter it was definitely a case of déjà vu.
“I actually spent my first two years on the job stationed at the Cross,” Peter said.
“It can be a real eye-opener.”
Dan says he remembers his dad giving him tours of the ambulance in his younger days.
He is also aware of the satisfaction both his parents feel helping people and how proud they have always been of the service they provide.
Today it’s their turn to be proud. Both his parents say it is nice to see their son enjoying his work and to see how well he presents himself.
Since filming for the series finished about twelve months ago, Dan has continued to thrive in the job. He says he still loves his work, despite some gentle ribbing from colleagues since the series first went to air.
To become a paramedic in NSW, you usually need to study a degree in paramedic practice to be eligible to join the Ambulance Service as a Graduate Paramedic. Alternative entry may also be available. Positions are usually advertised through the Ambulance Services website.
