Bob's exceptional service!
Monday, 25 July, 2011
One of the longest-serving ambulance officers in Wales has finally retired after over 46 years in the service. Robert (Bob) Morgan, originally from Pill in Newport had meant to retire some 3 years ago, but returned to full-time work "because he couldn't face the prospect of retirement!"
"46 years is a long time," said Bob, "and it won't be easy letting go, but I think the time has now come for me to let others make their mark."
At the age of 15 Bob left school back in 1963 and joined British Rail as an engine cleaner and then moved on to being a footplate fireman with them. He wanted to follow in his father's footsteps by joining the ambulance service but he was too young and needed driving experience. So in order to get that experience he worked for Jones Bros delivering groceries to their outlets.
Prior to joining the ambulance service Bob worked for the Parks Dept. of Newport Borough Council. At the time, the ambulance service was run by the council so it wasn't long before he was able to transfer to the ambulance service on 13th June 1965.
"In those days, anyone with a St John's Ambulance or Red Cross first-aid certificate got an extra three shillings a week, which is amazing when you consider how things have changed and the level of skill and knowledge required these days," he said.
"It's also frightening to think that most ambulances then were single-manned."
Bob attended the Bridgend training school in 1969 and for 10 years was based at the Albert Street depot before being promoted to Station Officer.
He worked his way up the ladder to become Divisional Officer for North Gwent and Assistant Chief Officer at Caerleon. He served as Acting Chief Officer until the South and East Wales Ambulance Trust came into being in 1993.
Bob became Divisional Officer for Gwent but after another reshuffle was transferred to Cardiff, having responsibility for South Glamorgan and the Vale of Glamorgan. He served there for many years before returning to Gwent.
"My last two years have been on special projects." said Bob, "including co-ordinating the installation of the new radios and the oxygen audit."
"Over the years I've attended numerous serious incidents, but one particularly nasty one was several years ago when a double-decker bus hit a low bridge and some passengers were killed. When I arrived it was an awful scene. Heart-breaking really. And of course there are the awful incidents with trains and terrible road traffic collisions that I've attended.
"But on those occasions the training kicks in and you just go into automatic mode. It's only later that you think back and realise what you have been involved in and it hits home how fragile life is....and then the next call is to the birth of a baby...so life goes on!" he said.
"But along with the sad memories there is also some humour. I can remember going to an incident under the bridge in Newport in the early 70's. My colleague and i went into the mud and ended up getting stuck ourselves and having to be rescued. The smell of the mud on our clothing was so bad that when I got home I had to strip to my underclothes and get hosed down before I could go into the house!"
Bob's wife Patricia has also just retired as a technician based at Monmouth after 25 with the ambulance service.
"It seems the right time to go," said Bob, "Pat's just gone so we can spend more time doing things together.
"There have been dramatic changes in the service over the years but I always tell trainees that no matter what treatment they provide for patients they will always be remembered more for their attitude.
"I joined the service because I wanted to make a difference. I've been involved in some way with hundreds of staff over the 46 years, from patient care service staff, to technicians to paramedics, and I've hopefully helped develop quite a number of them. I'll certainly miss the camaraderie of my friends and colleagues but it really is time to go.
"I think my main message to colleagues and new recruits is to keep the patient at the forefront of your mind all the time, and to treat people - whether they are patients or colleagues - as you would expect to be treated yourself."
