Illawarra paramedic Peter Cribbs has devoted his life to looking after people, often at the times they need it most.
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He did not begin his working life in the ambulance, but he has always been caring for living beings - in the early 1970s he was in veterinary nursing, before he worked as an army medic for about six years.
It was in 1981 that he became a paramedic.
"The honest truth of it all is that I wanted to help people," Mr Cribbs said.
"I've been very fortunate in my career, I've been in the right place at the right time to make a difference."
And he has made a difference, so much so he has received the Ambulance Service Medal this Queen's Birthday.
Mr Cribbs' career has seen him help during numerous disasters and tragedies in Australia and overseas, including the Christchurch earthquake, the Brooklyn train crash, and the 2006 Indonesian earthquake, during which he was the only paramedic among the Australian medical team in the Yogyakarta region.
He was there for Stuart Diver, the lone survivor of the 1997 Thredbo landslide who spent three days trapped under rubble, and flew to Bali in the wake of the 2002 terrorist bombings to assist.
Upon arriving in Bali, he recalled being put on a plane of patients to triage them before take-off.
He was walking down the aisle, saying to each person, "My name is Peter Cribbs, I'm an intensive care paramedic from Australia, are you injured?" and marking the seats of those who were.
Mr Cribbs said one particular man said no, but grabbed him by the arm as he stepped forward and told him: "I just want to thank you for being here".
Mr Cribbs said that short statement meant more to him than any award or accolade could.
He has also made an enormous difference behind the scenes, too.
Mr Cribbs oversaw the introduction of ambulance radios into hospitals, giving paramedics a direct line to doctors and minimising the risk of critical information about a patient being lost or miscommunicated during the handover.
As part of this, he created a training package that allowed the new system to be introduced in methodical way.
Mr Cribbs was also key to the Code 3 system, which provided a way to identify patients who required immediate attention upon arrival at hospital.
"It's a legacy I'm quite proud to leave," he said.
Mr Cribbs said he was humbled by the Queen's Birthday honour.
He described his colleagues as extra-special people who brought something extraordinary to the job.
After 40 years, Mr Cribbs is still in the job and is an intensive care and extended care paramedic with NSW Ambulance.
"The fulfillment's in being able to achieve what I set out to achieve, and that's to help people," Mr Cribbs said.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
