As examples of Bruce’s commitment to his work as an ambulance officer and union official and indeed sticking his neck out for the common good, we recount the following extract from his nomination. After responding to an emergency and finding a deceased person (natural causes) surrounded by distraught family, Bruce knew they needed expert counselling support. He decided to stay with the family until the necessary arrangements had been made and then transport the family to the hospital and organise counselling. Having arrived with the family at the hospital Bruce discovered that there was no after hours assistance or on-call counselling. This was not acceptable to Bruce. He made several requests resulting in the CEO of the hospital being contacted regarding the matter. Bruce was informed that owing to fiscal restraints no counselling could be arranged. Bruce made several more call that finally resulted in a paediatrician with appropriate qualifications counselling the family. All were thankful for Bruce’s determination to get the family their much needed support.

As a union delegate Bruce demonstrated that he was not shy in sticking his neck out to ensure the public and ambulance officer’s received appropriate vehicles. Whilst in Broken Hill, the ambulance service had a problem with supply of fleet vehicles. The contractor that the ambulance service used for the ambulance vehicle body conversions was converting a Holden utility for use as an ambulance, for an overseas order. This was seized upon by the ambulance service as the solution and a large order was placed with the intention of replacing the aging vehicles with the small ambulances with little further alteration necessary.

When one of these ambulances was delivered, a number of disturbing flaws quickly became evident. The weight distribution was such that when turning a corner or negotiating a roundabout it swayed severely at the rear where the patient and treating officer were located. Braking was also poor. As the union delegate responsibility fell to Bruce to do something about this.

Bruce concluded that the vehicle exceeded the manufacturer’s rear axle load bearing specifications and showed that this was the case even unloaded. He further discovered that GMH did not manufacture a rear axle to comply with the extra weight-bearing load. To cut a long story, short. Bruce received nothing but blocks to his assertions and evidence that the ambulances were not up to scratch. But Bruce stuck to his convictions and eventually his assertions were shown to be true and correct. The ambulances were withdrawn from service.

The word and definition of altruism epitomes Bruce Carey and his commitment to the strong moral and ethical behaviour, which are reflected in the appropriate outcomes of common good for all involved. Bruce’s consistency of action has created a significant cultural shift not only with the standard of the clinical care given to patients whilst being treated by officer of the Ambulance Service of NSW, but also has had a follow on effect to the emergency departments and hospitals that Bruce comes in contact with.