Allan Simpkins retires after 43 years as a paramedic

Allan started his career as a paramedic in 1976 as an honorary officer in Newcastle and two years later was appointed as a permanent officer.

Then in 1984 Allan was involved in the first ambulance rescue training courses and the next year he was invited to set up the first rescue recertification.

"There were a couple of tough jobs that I went to when I was in Newcastle at the beginning of my career, that's why my family and I made the decision to relocate," Allan said.

In 1987 he was stationed at Warialda before relocating to Barraba in 1990 where he was appointed to the board of Barraba Hospital two years later.

In 1994 Allan and his family made the move to Kempsey where he has been stationed for the past 24 and a half years.

He has saved countless lives across the course of his career and in 1999 while volunteering for the State Emergency Service he performed a daring rescue in raging floodwaters in Toorumbee Creek, earning a bravery medal for his efforts.

"I was just fortunate enough to be able to get out of the boat and swim to him and get the rope on him, and get him back to the boat," he said.

Another event Allan remembers from his extensive career is the 2004 floods in the Macleay Valley.

"I can vividly remember the March 2004 floods in Kempsey. We're so isolated here and because the whole of the east coast was inundated we had no external support, all of the emergency services had to coordinate themselves.

"There were three or four days with no external assistance. We had staff transporting in flooded areas, trying to get to people who needed help and we had staff in helicopters with other emergency services to reach people.

"I can remember being in a helicopter with the NSW Rural Fire Service and evacuating 70 kids from out near Bellbrook."

When taking the time to look back over his career, Allan said there have been hundreds of varied call-outs he has attended over the years.

"There have been so many different call-outs over the last 43 years, something that this career has given me is the opportunity to see the good in people. I'm really blessed to have worked with so many professional, dedicated and caring paramedics," he said.

"Over the years the Dunghutti Elders have also been very helpful in establishing a relationship between paramedics and the Indigenous community. This relationship has allowed us to provide assistance to the whole community."

Although Allan said it was a difficult decision to retire, he is looking forward to spending time with his family.

"I'm going to stay in the area and retire here in Kempsey," he said.

"The first thing we're going to do is pack up the van and travel around Australia.

"It's time to give something back to my family who have supported me throughout my career as an ambulance paramedic and paramedic manager."

Allan's last day out on the road was Thursday June 13 but he will remain in the office until July 22.

"I've had a wonderful career and have met a lot of wonderful people. I'm looking forward to a happy and healthy retirement."

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