Small acts of kindness are the ‘why’ for Cohuna First Responder

July 15, 2024 | in Community News

A new Ambulance Community Officer (ACO) in Cohuna said a photo of her holding hands with a young patient emphasised what it means to her to be a First Responder at Ambulance Victoria (AV).

Maddy Anderson was on her fourth shift as an ACO when the picture was snapped, showing her walking a child out to the waiting ambulance.

“It was really beautiful because from what I’ve seen, the majority of the job is about that personal connection with your patients,” Maddy said.

“I want to be that person that makes a difference and brightens someone’s day – that’s why I do this job and am studying to be a paramedic.”

A woman and child walking in a hallway and out of a building.

Cohuna ACO Maddy Anderson walking the young patient to the ambulance.

Maddy said the special moment with her patient came by surprise.

“When we arrived at the scene, I introduced myself but didn’t have much interaction with the child,” she said.

“But then we were heading out to the ambulance and he walked past me and put his hand out and went, ‘come on Maddy, so we walked out holding hands and I helped him into the ambulance.

“It blew me away because it was so unexpected, yet just a natural instinct, and was also special because I’m still new and learning the ropes.”

Maddy joined the Cohuna ACO team earlier this year, to gain extra experience on-road while she completes her paramedicine degree.

ACOs are First Responders trained to provide advanced first aid and employed by AV on a casual basis to work on-call in rural and remote communities where the ambulance caseload is low.

A woman leaning next to a ambulance with a sunset in the background.

ACO Madison Anderson.

Maddy grew up in Melbourne but said she’s always envisioned herself working in the country.

“I have family living in a town between Echuca and Cohuna and I’ve always been obsessed with farming and drawn to the country lifestyle,” she said.

“I’m loving working in the country so far – everyone has been so lovely and there’s that real sense of community.

“During my first block of shifts, my Team Manager, Libby, took me down to Cohuna Hospital to introduce me to everyone because they all know each other.

“I also love that because you’re a bit further away from hospitals and health facilities, you get a bit more time with the patients and to use your skills.”

Libby attended the case where the photo of Maddy was taken and said it showed the small acts of caring that paramedics and First Responders perform every day.

“It made me realise, that sometimes our work is just about the kindness we can give,” she said.

“It’s about walking beside our patients every day.”

Learn more about First Responders at Ambulance Victoria.