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The Katherine community is showing their support for the embattled local ambulance crew, who is enduring protracted negotiations with their employer about work conditions. Rod and Rifle Tackleworld and fellow local business Patow hosted a free barbeque lunch on Wednesday for the Katherine St John Ambulance paramedics to show their appreciation for the emergency service they provide. The Katherine Times reported local paramedics are at breaking point after being forced to work four consecutive 20 hour shifts a week for more than a year, despite raising concerns with management over chronic fatigue. Paramedic Angus Kirkpatrick said members of the public have stopped him and his colleagues on the streets to say thank you and show their appreciation, since their industrial relations concerns were made public earlier this month. He said it is the first time he has seen such a wave of support from local residents since he moved to Katherine 18 months ago. "It's really pleasing to see the community support us and get behind us," Mr Kirkpatrick said. "It's an acknowledgement of our difficult time at the moment," he said. Rod and Rifle's Trent de With said the support and community spirit should be second nature to a town like Katherine. "It's a small town," he said. "Everybody looks out for everybody and everyone knows that they're appreciated." The paramedics at the Rod and Rifle event were dressed in high-visibility shirts with "Red Alert" printed on the front. Mr Kirkpatrick said Red Alert is part of the public awareness campaign associated with the United Workers Union, who have represented the Katherine Paramedics during their protracted Enterprise Agreement Negotiations with St John Ambulance since July 2019. He said it is an alternative to paramedics going on strike to raise awareness, which they "don't want to do" because it would leave Katherine without access to a critical emergency service. This dedication to the safety of their patients is also behind the push to ease their workload, with one paramedic telling the Katherine Times earlier this month they are worried they will accidentally "seriously injure or kill someone" as a result of fatigue. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: You can also receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday at 6am from the Katherine Times. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.

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