When Alan Playford first joined the New South Wales Ambulance Service in the 1970s, he would drive an ambulance on his own to all sorts of emergencies.
With little equipment, and no support, Alan would simply have to bundle people into the back of the wagon and race to the hospital, where lifesaving machines and skills could give them a chance.
In those early days, 80 per cent of Alan's patients would die either on the way to the hospital or on the doorstep.
Alan and a group of other ambulance officers and doctors knew they could do better and set about modernising paramedicine.
Under the leadership of Dr Bob Wright, they began innovative (and often terrifying) training to save more lives.
Ambulance officers from Newcastle, including Alan, were among the first to be trained in these new "advanced life support" skills.
So by the time the unprecedented Newcastle Earthquake hit in 1989, Alan used his more than ten years' experience to save lives at the Newcastle Workers Club and on Beaumont Street.
Alan went on to makeover the now beloved Westpac Rescue Helicopter, and took his skills to places like Rwanda and East Timor.
He gained his nickname the 'shit magnet' for his habit of coincidentally being there to help out in emergencies, even when he's not on duty.
Further information
Through the Rubble is written by Alan Playford and Penny Keogh. It is published by Simon & Schuster.