Wrexham paramedic and first responder celebrated at awards ceremony

Paramedics and first responders in Wrexham have been commended for their work at the annual Welsh Ambulance Service Awards 2023.

Paramedic Mike Davies and Volunteer Community First Responder Effie Cadwallader were amongst the winners crowned at this month’s ceremony.

More than 350 nominations were received for this year’s WAST Awards, the winners of which were announced at an event in Newport sponsored by The Ortus Group.

Other winners include Ian Powell, a Paramedic in Merthyr Tydfil.

Ian was at home with his partner Sian when he began to experience chest pain. Recognising that Ian was in trouble, Sian, also a Paramedic, called 999 and summoned help.

Paramedics Jamie Shore and Chris Ellis, Emergency Medical Technician Sarah James, Duty Operations Manager Phil Wilkins and Locality Manager Vanessa Hughes came to Ian’s aid and determined that their friend and colleague was having a heart attack.

As they loaded him onto an ambulance, the 58-year-old went into full cardiac arrest.

He was taken to Prince Charles Hospital and later University Hospital of Wales, where he was fitted with a stent in his coronary artery.

He was shocked with a defibrillator seven times in total.

This month hhis colleagues were presented with an Emergency Medical Service Award at the Welsh Ambulance Service’s WAST Awards for their quick-thinking actions.

Ian, who has almost 40 years of service, said: “I’m so grateful to everyone involved in my care, they did an absolutely fantastic job.

“Without them, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Also among the winners was father-of-three Bob Heaney, who pulled a total stranger from a fast-flowing river in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

Bob, a housing officer at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “It was mid-December and I was walking home over the bridge in Llandybie.

“My hood was up because it was raining, but I happened to glance up and see something in the water.

“I realised it was a person, so I shouted: ‘What are you doing mate? You need to get a coat.’

“I called 999 and they said they were organising help, but that it might be some time.

“It was pitch black and freezing and I didn’t think there was time, so I put my phone on speaker, set it down on the bridge and jumped into the water.”

Locality Manager Katie Stapleton, who nominated Bob for the Public Recognition Award, said: “Bob made every effort possible to save the patient’s life after falling into a fast-flowing river, endangering his own life by getting in and pulling them out.

“He then supported them on the bank and assisted the crew to get the patient to safety.

“He showed exceptional bravery in very difficult circumstances.”

Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “Our people are the beating heart of this organisation, and we simply couldn’t function without them.

“Working for the Welsh Ambulance Service is not just any job – it’s a job that makes a real difference.

“When people are at their lowest ebb, frightened, injured, vulnerable and sick, we are the people to whom they turn.

“Today, we celebrate everything that is great about this organisation and say thank you to our staff and volunteers for the remarkable work they do, day in, day out.

“Thanks to all those who took the time to submit a nomination or cast a vote.

“Thanks also to our headline sponsor The Ortus Group, as well as Alumni Global for kindly sponsoring two luxury hampers.”

The Ortus Group provide specialist equipment and leading technology solutions for the emergency services and other mission critical sectors.

Alumni Global supports organisations to identify and develop the right leaders, key competence and skills needed, paving the way for business success.

Pictured: Ian Powell