Become a paramedic and most of the above will apply, according to the Australian Paramedics Association (APA) in NSW. 

The APA is launching a campaign to make all sides of politics aware of their plight heading into the upcoming state election in March. 

On the list of items they believe need addressing include fatigue, violence towards staff and the need for suitable uniforms. 

APA NSW secretary and Jerilderie paramedic Steve Pearce said the situation had reached crisis point. 

“Paramedics have had enough,” he said. 

“The current Berejiklian government likes to always talk about their surplus and how great that is, while paramedics are out here struggling. 

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“It’s all well and good to say there will be 700 new paramedics on the ground, but that won’t be for another four years. 

“In the meantime we’ve got paramedics who are leaving and on stress leave because the conditions are so poor.” 

Mr Pearce said all paramedics were suffering, but he said in the country areas, such as the MIA, they were overworked, underpaid and struggling to turn up to each shift. 

“They are not getting a good enough break at the end of the shift or even to do something as simple as eat lunch and go to the bathroom,” he said. 

“We know these aren’t new issues, but the problem is nothing has been done and the situation is getting worse. It’s at a crisis level.”

Paramedics across the state will be asked by the union to get out into their communities and discuss these issues with residents and implore them to call on their local member to stand up for them. 

Mr Pearce said another issue plaguing paramedics, particularly in the MIA was patient transfers, which were sometimes ordered to be completed at an inconvenient time and often leaving towns with no ambulance at all. 

With the state election coming up, Mr Pearce said there was no time like the present to have paramedics take centre stage and for solutions to be found. 

“Boots on the ground will help, but so will better policies and procedures,” he said. 

“Who is going to care for our carers? Action needs to be taken now.”

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