Paramedic Andrew Ryan looks back on 40yrs of rescues with NSW Ambulance

Incredible GoPro footage reveals what critcal care workers face all the time as Andrew Ryan, who worked on the Thredbo diaster and Newcastle earthquake, celebrates 40 years as a paramedic.

From responding to the catastrophic Thredbo landslide, to assisting with medical care during the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, Andrew Ryan’s 40 years as a NSW Ambulance paramedic have been eventful, exciting, rewarding, and at times, tragic.

Mr Ryan, who is the Southern Zone manager NSW Ambulance aeromedical division this week celebrated 40 years on the job, after first becoming a paramedic in 1981.

Forty years on a job is an impressive feat, and to celebrate the milestone, Mr Ryan has given an inside look at some of the incredible, and often lifesaving rescue operations he’s been part of. While he was happy to let the four decade anniversary fly under the radar, his family and colleagues had other plans, throwing him a touching celebration at Albion Park’s Toll Ambulance base on Wednesday.

Mr Ryan arrives at his surprise celebration on Wednesday. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

Described by many of his colleagues as a “legend”, Mr Ryan was instrumental in establishing the helicopter base in the Illawarra, and has spent the better part of his life toward helping others.

He first stepped into the job after hearing his brother’s stories about the role, following some time spent as a lifeguard.

“I listened to some of the stories he was telling and I thought this is right up my alley,” he said.

“There’s been some huge tragedies, it’s a difficult job, it’s a job that challenges you everyday, but there are huge rewards with that.”

Mr Ryan has been involved in many of the state’s notable disasters and tragedies in recent history, including the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, which killed 13 people and injured 160 others, the Thredbo Landslide that killed 18 people in 1997 and the 2002 Waterfall Train Disaster, which claimed seven lives.

The paramedic was presented with a medal to mark his 40 years of service. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

“They are the ones that really resonate with you forever,” he said.

But it’s jobs that involve family that have been the hardest, according to Mr Ryan.

“There are the personal events that touch your own life because it’s a family member involved,” he said.

“They are the hardest, the single hardest, but unfortunately it’s part of life.”

Mr Ryan credited his wife Suellyn for his achievements over the years, saying she’d been there for him along the whole journey of his career.

Andrew Ryan thanked his wife Suellyn for her support. Picture: Madeline Crittenden

“She always added a level of empathy and sympathy that always grounded me and reminded me of the fact that we help people at the worst possible time in their lives,” he said.

And while he finds it hard to see himself, Mr Ryan has been an inspiration not just for his colleagues but his three daughters, all of which work in the medical field, and one specifically with NSW Ambulance.

Andrew Ryan and his daughter Madolyn, who also works for NSW Ambulance.

Mr Ryan’s daughter Madolyn works in the NSW Ambulance control centre, and said she hoped she too could clock up 40 years on the job.

“I get to debrief with dad all the time, at the end of the shift I’ll call him and talk to him about what happened,” she said.

“It’s pretty special to share that bond with him.”

Mr Ryan was almost moved to tears as he entered his surprise celebration on Wednesday, held at the base he has managed like a “family unit” for years.

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