Paramedic Mike Ficko marks 25-year milestone with St John WA

An Albany paramedic is marking 25 years of service with St John WA after he was inspired to join by the treatment he received after a car crash in his youth.

Mike Ficko, a third generation Albany local, has worked for St John WA since 1997.

Although he originally trained as a registered nurse, family history and an experience with St John as a teenager led him to become a paramedic.

“As a teen I was in a car accident and was tended to by St John volunteers,” he said.

“I just remember the overwhelming sense of relief when they arrived.

“Growing up, I heard all kinds of stories from my grandad who was an army medic and involved with St John as a volunteer in the 1950s and 1960s.

“It’s now my privilege to help my local community in the same way.”

Mr Ficko said the best thing about the job was “being able to take people’s pain away”.

“Over the past 25 years, our ability to offer relief and deal with a variety of scenarios has grown exponentially,” he said.

“Our training is so thorough now.

“It’s not just about the patients either, it’s being able to help their loved ones and help provide support for the overall wellbeing of the family.”

St John WA head of country ambulance Justin Fonte congratulated Mr Ficko on his quarter-century milestone.

“The sort of experience people like Mike develop over this length of time, and the deep connection with community, is absolutely irreplaceable,” Mr Fonte said.

Mr Ficko said he was always amazed that some of the people he worked alongside were volunteers.

“Every job we do is important and while the impact may not be immediately recognisable, it is an honour to enter people’s lives at the times that we do,” he said.

“We walk into their lives at their best and worst moments, and everything in between.

“Sometimes it’s the words and simple things that make all the difference — even just sitting and talking with patients.

“It is a privilege to be able to serve as a paramedic.”