New reality TV show to highlight dangers paramedics face on the frontline

WITH three ambulance ­officers assaulted in NSW each week, the public will ­finally get to see the day-to-day dangers — and drama — they face during their shifts in a new television series set to air later this year.

PARAMEDIC Marco Aielli has been grabbed around the neck from behind, tackled to the floor and had the windscreen of his ambulance smashed in — all while trying to save people’s lives.

With three ambulance ­officers assaulted in NSW each week, the public will ­finally get to see the day-to-day dangers — and drama — they face during their shifts.

Mr Aielli will star in ­Ambulance Australia, a new reality television series on Channel 10 later this year.

Based on an award-winning UK series, the local version has unprecedented access to triple-0 call takers, dispatchers and paramedics.

Paramedics Marco Aielli and Chenea Roles will star in the new reality TV show following their work. Picture: Nigel Wright

Mr Aielli, 37, said the fly-on-the-wall series should give viewers “a greater appreciation” of health workers.

“I think it’s a fantastic ­initiative to show the community what we do … to have an insight into our daily routine and what sort of patients we go to,” he said.

“Basically we’re just there to help; we’re not there to judge, we’re not there to harass.”

Intensive care paramedic Chenea Roles, who stars alongside “work husband” Mr Aielli, said: “We’re not bulletproof. We have families and things that we want to get home to as well.”

Paramedics treat a patient, which will air on the new Ambulance Australia TV reality show. Picture: Nigel Wright

NSW Ambulance Commissioner Dominic Morgan said violent attacks on paramedics had to stop and hoped the “warts and all” reality to the public could help.

“Where else would you be assaulted for coming to someone’s aid?” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

MORE STORIES BY MIRANDA WOOD

RAY HADLEY BREAKS DOWN TALKING ABOUT COP SON’S COCAINE CHARGE

BUSINESSES PUSH TO RENAME STRETCH OF SYDNEY HARBOUR FORESHORE ‘THE EDGE’

NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said: “There’s an element in the community that think our paramedics can be punching bags. I’m hoping the message comes through that paramedics are there for us and we as a community, should be there for them.”

Marco Aielli and Chenea Roles deal with danger every day as they work as paramedics. Picture: Nigel Wright

The new TV show will give viewers insight into what paramedics deal with during their shifts. Picture: Nigel Wright

After its first season in 2016, the UK version of ­Ambulance not only had a positive impact on public perceptions but also improved staff morale.

Based at the Kogarah Sup­erstation in Sydney’s south, Ms Roles and Mr Aielli are now eagerly awaiting their debut as reality TV stars.

“You see all the cop shows and different things like that but there’s never really been something that showcases what we do,” Ms Roles said. “It’s real honour that they’ve wanted to do our stories.”

And her boss agreed.

“I’m excited to see it,,” Mr Morgan said.

“Being able to show these incredible people just doing what they do, day in and day out, is a story I want to tell the whole world.”