Fourteen rescue paramedics attached to Wollongong Ambulance Station have been shattered by the lost battle to regain their accreditation.NSW Emergency Services Minister Tony Kelly announced yesterday the State Rescue Board (SRB) had recommended against reversing a decision to transfer the NSW Ambulance Service rescue role to firefighters.Health Services Union Illawarra spokesman Warren Goodall said his members had the support of NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca and believed the bid would be successful."Until Wednesday night, I thought we had it," he said."The Minister for Health had certainly given us that impression for the last two or three weeks." "To say paramedics are disappointed is an extremely mild understatement."Mr Della Bosca recommended to the SRB that it reaccredit the ambulance rescue trucks for 12 months while it examined how the skills of the paramedics could "be best harnessed".The board decided in September that eight NSW Ambulance Service rescue outfits, including the 50-year-old Wollongong unit, would be disbanded within 24 hours and their responsibilities transferred to the NSW Fire Brigades.A spokesman for Mr Kelly said the SRB made the recommendation on Thursday and the Minister had accepted that decision. He said reasons for the decision were not tendered.Mr Goodall said the SRB's "lack of transparency" in its decision-making process needed to be addressed.The SRB is independent of the Government and comprises eight members representing rescue organisations - NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW Police (two members), Rural Fire Service, SES, Volunteer Rescue Association and Volunteer Marine Rescue Council.