NSW Ambulance has deployed a team of Special Operations Team rescue paramedics and Aeromedical Specialist Doctors as part of the disaster response to the devastating Türkiye earthquake that has so far claimed more than 40,000 lives in both Türkiye and Syria.
Five Special Operations Team rescue paramedics and two Aeromedical Specialist Doctors are part of Australia's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). The team includes Chief Inspector Murray Traynor (Team Leader), Steve Green, Steve Talbot, Scott McNamara, Shane Whittaker, Dr Robert Scott, and Dr Jimmy Bliss.
Following the earthquake, which occurred on 6 February, our contingent arrived at Incirlik Air Base near Adana in southern Türkiye.
Our team were met by the Australian ambassador to Türkiye, Miles Armitage, before they started their difficult mission of helping those impacted by the earthquake.
The NSW Ambulance contigent – who are identifiable by the dark green helmets they are wearing in photos from the mission - are sleeping in tents and eating from ration packs while supporting those in need.
“There’s going to be a lot going on, and quite of lot of damage and devastation,” Inspector Steve Green said.
“In this environment, our primary goal is to locate trapped individuals and then swing into treating those patients.”
A dedicated NSW Ambulance staff support team is providing welfare support to family members of our paramedics and doctors while they are in Türkiye.