A courageous resident from Apollo Bay who went to the rescue of others involved in medical emergencies has been honoured for their bravery and compassion.
John DiCecco from Apollo Bay was recognised by the Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews and Ambulance Victoria CEO Greg Sassella as a winner of the 2008 Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards during a ceremony at Parliament House in Melbourne.
Gayle Tierney, Member for Western Victoria said “the Community Hero Awards celebrate the actions of inspirational Victorians who have helped in serious medical emergencies.”
“I congratulate Mr DiCecco for showing us the difference one person can make. Each and every hero acted with bravery and set an example that we can all aspire to.”
While bushwalking at Marriners Falls in Apollo Bay in September this year, two people were struck by a falling tree and sustained serious injuries.
Zoe and Aimee, the children of one of the injured bushwalkers, assisted the injured adults before running over a kilometre for help.
Mr DiCecco was at home when the girls arrived asking for help. Aimee stayed at the house while 000 was called and Mr DiCecco and Zoe returned to the scene and provided further first aid and assistance prior to the arrival of paramedics.
Both patients have recovered well from this incident.
Zoe and Aimee, who live in inner Melbourne, were also acknowledged with 2008 Ambulance Victoria Community Hero Awards.
Mr Andrews said that 125 Victorians have been recognised since the awards started in 2000 and recognise people who have acted in an outstanding way to help others in a medical emergency.
“Even though we hope that the situation never arises, we would all like to believe that we would respond to an emergency in a timely, compassionate and effective way,” he said.
Also among the 16 awards winners are Victorians of all ages who have called 000 in an emergency, performed first aid or CPR or helped at the scene of accidents. This year’s award recipients were chosen from more than 100 nominations made by paramedics over the past year.
They include:
• Six-year-old Isabelle Grigoriants who called 000 for her grandmother who was experiencing breathing difficulties and translated into Russian for paramedics;
• A group of four who performed CPR when a patron collapsed at Plenty View Golf Park.
Ms Tierney said these cases highlight that a medical emergency can happen to anyone, of any age, at any time, and that we all need to be prepared.
“The Brumby Government continues to support community based programs such as the Four Steps for Life CPR program, defibrillators in public places and partnerships with community volunteers and emergency services to assist in local emergencies,” she said.
“What happens before an ambulance arrives is vital to the outcome for patients in a medical emergency.
“For cases such as cardiac arrest the equation is simple, the longer it takes for someone to get help, the less their chances of surviving.”