This road crash trauma responder has a message: road trauma impacts us all.

I joined this community-focused organisation after I received an email via the CFA seeking to know whether I was interested in being involved as a volunteer speaker for Road Trauma Support Services Victoria, now known as Amber Community for the Ballarat area. I saw this as a great opportunity to continue with the road safety messaging that I had been pushing out via local media. As a member of a CFA brigade that undertakes road crash rescue, I saw the importance of trying to communicate the road safety message to the community.

I have been involved with Ballarat Fire Brigade’s Road Crash Rescue Unit for over thirty years, and I have attended many collisions involving fatalities and serious injuries—some of those impacted were people I knew. Amber Community and the Road Trauma Awareness Seminars (RTAS) program provide an opportunity to change drivers’ and passengers’ mindsets, potentially saving lives.

16 years of helping save lives

My role as an emergency services volunteer speaker at the face-to-face RTAS programs in Ballarat and other online sessions is an opportunity to try to reduce the amount of road trauma locally and throughout the state, giving participants an overview of what happens at the scene of a motor vehicle collision and how it impacts on the emergency services, not just those directly involved.

Sixteen years on, I still enjoy participating in these sessions and pushing the road safety message. With a local coordinator and other volunteer speakers the program has increased from one session every three months to monthly. I would not have had the ability to continue helping to reduce the impact of road trauma without these vital people.

In the past, Ballarat has held several community road safety forums, which I have assisted in. After these forums, I found it interesting to chat with those who attended and try to gauge what they took away from it. Those I spoke to had taken positives from the experience, and this gave me a feeling of achievement that the messages got out there and hopefully may save lives.

Face-to-face speaking became easier

During the RTAS sessions, I like to take a personal approach to get my message across to those who may not have thought of the long-term impact of road trauma. Being thanked, questioned, and even seeing a tear as I speak makes it even more worthwhile. Knowing that I can make a difference and make someone question their actions and choices before they drive or while they are on the road is very rewarding.

Each RTAS session is a little scary, not knowing what I will face, but now I feel comfortable getting up there and telling my story. Sometimes, maybe I talk too long, and when you’re passionate about reducing the road trauma, it is hard not to. In the future, I would like all emergency services attending collisions to be required less or not required at all. I am aware this is unlikely, but we can all hope this is the outcome.

Road trauma is not just physical

Road trauma affects not just those in the vehicle; it affects many others, including the emergency services, and it can flow on to family and friends of emergency services, too. Each road incident impacts all emergency services in one way or another. It may not impact us straight away, but it may build up and affect us in the future.

As road crash rescue operators, we are seeing more and more incidents that we are called to. This is heading the wrong way and should be getting less and less with safer cars, safer roads, and education programs like RTAS.

Amber Community not only offers education programs but also, importantly, counselling and support to those who have been impacted by road trauma. Road trauma isn’t always the physical injuries. It can be the deep emotional and psychological impact that can’t be seen.

I would like to put a challenge out to all: let’s try for zero lives lost and injured on our roads to lessen the impact of road trauma.

Our history

Amber Community was founded in 1994 by a small group of people whose lives had been directly impacted by road trauma. These people understood the need for a specialist service where support could be offered to those who, like them, were suffering because of the injury or loss of a loved one on the roads. They joined with professionals working in the area to provide counselling and support.

From this humble beginning in 1994, Amber Community has grown to offer state-wide counselling and support to people affected by a road incident. Amber Community now comprises a team of staff and volunteers who provide support and education services to more than 10,000 people annually.

Amber Community is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to enhancing road incident support and education for the safety and wellbeing of road users. We rely on the generosity of our supporters to continue delivering this vital service. Learn more about our mission and consider making a donation to help us create safer roads for everyone.