There were more Charlies than usual at the Paramedic Shield Presentation for Class 23-01. Charlie is the call sign for NSW Ambulance Chaplains – and they were there in numbers to see fellow chaplain, Sam Mak, wearing his new epaulettes as a Paramedic Intern.
“We’re all stoked for Sam,” Acting Senior Chaplain Warren Holman said. “We know how much effort he’s put in. He’s a ‘double-hatter’ now. Usually people go the other way, they become chaplains after a career as a paramedic.”
After six years caring for NSW Ambulance paramedics as a Christian chaplain, Sam Mak is providing patient care alongside them as a Paramedic Intern.
“It’s been a long journey for me,” Sam explained. “I love this community and I've always wanted to live out my faith in public in practical ways.”
Sam has begun his paramedic journey at Campsie Station.
“It’s really great,” Sam said. “I’ve got an incredible preceptor and I’m learning heaps. I’m really getting into the work life and the cases. It’s a blessing to be only 20 minutes from home too.”
Following his calling
Sam’s interest in chaplaincy was sparked when he was a Pastor at the Kirkplace Presbyterian Church in Kogarah.
“In ministry I found myself always being needed to care for the congregation, whereas I was always looking to expand my horizons,” Sam explained.
“Jesus taught his followers to be salt and light in the world – by which he meant you have to put your values into action in community.”
“In 2016, a friend sent me a link that NSW Ambulance was recruiting chaplains. I applied and former Senior Chaplain Paul McFarlane welcomed me on board.”
“Scary” is how Sam described his first conversations with paramedics in the Sydney and South Eastern Sector. “People would ask me, ‘What are you doing here?’.
Over time we built up trust and a really good team. People got to know us and that we weren’t there to convert them, rather we were following our faith to care for others.
“I got to be a team leader and was even acting Senior Chaplain during the 2019 bushfires. I did a lot of ridealongs with inspectors and became increasingly interested in the clinical side of the role. I really wanted to deepen my own understanding, and I eventually reached a point where I felt like I could do even more good riding alongside a partner on the road.”
A paramedic’s path
The decision to become a paramedic was not easy for Sam and his family, which includes four children under 10.
“We basically had no finances for three years, yet my wife, my family and my church supported me all the way. I just had to trust in God and take things
step-by-step.”
“I started my Bachelor of Paramedicine at Charles Sturt University by distance education the year COVID-19 arrived. I had to travel to Bathurst for my practical classes.”
After degrees in health science, ministry, theology and now paramedicine, one thing Sam isn’t looking forward to is his HECS bill.
While his path has clearly been challenging, when Sam Mak speaks about his journey from chaplain to paramedic, he does so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
“I am genuinely thankful for all the paramedics that have continuously served and poured themselves out for the community throughout the last few years.”
“I am deeply appreciative of the paramedics/preceptors that are training interns like me.”
For his part, Sam's care for his paramedic colleagues will also continue, as he carries on his chaplaincy in his own time.