From Monday the 28th of February 2022, St John Ambulance NSW has been actively deployed to support NSW communities throughout the ongoing flood disaster which has swept across New South Wales and Queensland.
The recent floods have had a devastating impact on our community. However, the tragedy has once again brought out the best in our community and our members.
One of our incredible members who sprang into action immediately was Kerry.
As all the roads out of Evans Head were flooded on the morning Kerry left for her deployment, she was taken by a flood boat to the community of Woodburn, about a 25-minute trip spent navigating flood waters where people had become trapped and isolated.
Kerry recalls how traumatic the boat ride was, as she could see the devastation - people yelling for help and animals trying to get into the flood boats to escape the flood waters. Kerry recalls having to bend down while on the flood boat as they passed under telephone and electricity wires, as the water level was so high.
When Kerry arrived at Woodburn School Hill, she immediately sprang into action – coordinating the first aid and triage for patients in desperate need of help. During her many hours on the hill, she treated hundreds of people for a range of injuries, illnesses and conditions, as well as providing mental health support to patients.
Kerry has also worked in the Evacuation Centre providing advice, completing patient assessments, attending to injuries and referring people to Hospital or GPs where necessary. She has built rapport and become a familiar face with the evacuees.
Kerry still visits the Recovery Centre each day and checks on those people inside. She continues to provide wound care, blood pressure and blood glucose level checks, general first aid and advice, infection control, rapid antigen tests and referrals to other health services, as required.
Kerry is a true testament to what it means to be an incredible human. Someone who puts others before themselves and works around the clock to make the lives of others better - even in the face of disaster.
On behalf of all of us, thank you Kerry!
