Recruit makes a name in flashing lights

South African-born Chris Marlow was the first paramedic to be recruited from his home country by the South Australian ambulance service and, as the former soldier explained, the honour proved one of many turning points in his extraordinary career.

After all, becoming a paramedic was a career move he would never have predicted when first joining the army in 1994.

‘I wanted to join because my dad was in the army and I wanted to ride in helicopters and jump out of things,’ Chris said. ‘When you get a bit older, though, you don't want to run around with a firearm in the bush; you want to help people.’

Chris served in and around southern Africa while he was in the army but finished his military career in 1999 to undertake a paramedic and rescue degree.

Chris decided he wanted a higher level of medical skill than the basic training given to all soldiers.

‘I wanted to be able to look after the mates I was serving with,’ Chris said. ‘I didn't want to not be able to help in a medical emergency. I guess you could call it a natural progression in that sense.’

In 2004, Chris was offered a job in Iraq working for a team of privately contracted medical personnel for a security company, looking after people who were rebuilding infrastructure. It was his job to keep the team safe from improvised explosive devices and ambushes as well as looking after general medical concerns.

‘It wasn't as glamorous as Kevin Costner's job in the film, The Bodyguard,’ Chris said. ‘A lot of the work was boring and mundane. It involved a lot of protocol, driven by security checks and planning. But that's important – it's all about calculated risk.’

Despite all the careful planning, Chris said the inherent danger meant the most important aspect of the work was being with people he trusted.

‘I knew all the guys I was working with and I wouldn't have taken on a job if I didn't,’ Chris said. ‘I knew how they were going to react in a hostile environment and they know how I was going to react.’

The worst thing about that overseas job was being away from his wife, Nadia. The ‘three months away, three weeks at home’ lifestyle was difficult for the couple but Chris said they agreed he would take up the posting for no longer than two years.

‘It gave us something to work towards,’ Chris said. ‘We could "suck it up", save some money and, when I came back, we would make a life for ourselves.’

Chris cut short his Iraq posting by six months when he was offered a lecturing job at the University of Johannesburg, providing high-level paramedic and rescue training.

The couple also decided to start a family upon his return from Iraq. That decision put a swift end to his military career.

‘There was no way I was going to have a child and go back to that kind of job,’ Chris said. ‘I didn't like the idea of leaving Nadia by herself with a child – I enjoy being around too much.’

In 2007, Chris jumped at the opportunity to come to Australia, after being granted an Australian regional sponsored migration visa (subclass 119).

Their daughter, Alyssa, was born in Port Lincoln Australia four months after they arrived.

‘The SA ambulance service has been great,’ Chris said. ‘They're nothing but accommodating to us. They gave me the opportunity to come out to Australia and it's been wonderful.’

The family spent two years in Port Lincoln while Chris completed his conversion course in intensive care paramedics, before moving to Adelaide last year when he was given the opportunity to join the SA Ambulance Services Special Operations Team (SOT).

The SOT specialises in medical rescue, with each member trained in helicopter rescue, vertical rescue, aquatic rescue, confined space rescue and urban search and rescue. The team also provides medical support to SA Police and Metro Fire Service.

While his career choices might not be for the faint of heart, Chris said coming to Australia was too good an opportunity to pass up.

‘Australia is great,’ he said. ‘It's a beautiful place and I love the safety and security it provides for my family. You can go for a walk, run or bike ride and the people are relaxed and non-threatening. It's like I'm on holiday 24/7.’

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