Unity & Community

Original article posted on Devon Air Ambulance This International Paramedics’ Day, we acknowledge the unity and community that makes the work of our crew possible.

When every second counts, seamless collaboration between emergency services can mean the difference between life and death. International Paramedics Day, launched in 2022 and run by the College of Paramedics in the UK, is held on the 8th July in 2025 and marks the anniversary of the birth of Dominique-Jean Larrey, often referred to as the father of modern-day ambulance services. This year, the theme is ‘Unity & Community’ – because no paramedic works alone.

In the most critical moments of an incident, organisations like Devon Air Ambulance, Southwest Ambulance Service (SWAST), Devon & Cornwall Police and Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue come together with one shared goal: to save lives.

From remote coastal rescues to high-speed road traffic collisions, teamwork across emergency services is vital in delivering a fast response.

‘Unity and Community’ encapsulates this. It’s about celebrating togetherness and recognising that by working collaboratively and in partnership, we achieve:

• Better outcomes for patients

• Higher quality of care

• More support for each other

• Increased knowledge

• Enhanced research

• A deeper sense of purpose and belonging.
  

Our crews often collaborate with these other emergency services for incidents such as Sam’s. Sam was involved in a road traffic collision and had to be cut out of the vehicle by local firefighters before being treated and transported by Devon Air Ambulance paramedics and doctors. Likewise Jane, who suffered a medical episode when walking on Dartmoor, was attended to by Dartmoor Search & Rescue prior to our arrival.

These collaborative efforts illustrate how, on International Paramedics Day 2025, the seamless teamwork between Devon Air Ambulance and other emergency services allows our crew to give the highest quality of care to patients.

Meet our amazing paramedics and doctors.