International Paramedics Day - Howard's Story

It was the lifestyle and family benefits of the ACT that convinced experienced paramedic Howard Luu to move with his family to Canberra.   

As a father of four and a lover of good food, it was the ACT’s pace, bilingual school and an ACTAS recruitment program that finally convinced Howard that his family should make the move.  

“We’ve been thinking about moving to Canberra for a few years and finally bit the bullet. We did it for a lifestyle move as we had friends telling us Canberra was better for kids and we also wanted them to come to Mawson Primary - that was our driving reason to come here for the language program.” 

His career of 16 years began in Southwest Sydney and covered most areas of the metropolitan area. 

“It’s very different in the NSW system, the demographics and the pace. The ambulance and the hospital system have some similarities with the aspect of the work but there are nuances you have to be delicate with.” 

Howard’s path to be a paramedic started when he was studying health sciences and one of his friends was a paramedic and sold it as a perfect move.  

“I had already done 5 years of Uni and did consider studying post-graduate medicine, but I realised being a paramedic was for me.” 

Howard has enjoyed his experience as a paramedic for ACTAS in Canberra, and he feels he is making a difference. One example has stuck with him, a patient who Howard advised to make some major lifestyle changes which may have saved his life. 

“You don’t expect to save lives everyday, but I think positive influence on people is a bigger achievement. I remember having a patient who had heart disease, diabetes, and drank about three cans of soft drink every day.” 

“I told him that's about 40 grams of sugar per can - 120 grams per day. That's a bag of sugar every ten days!”  

Months later he told me he quit after having the habit for over 15 years. His weight and diabetes is improving and it was just from a simple conversation.” 

Howard has other interests outside of being a paramedic, a keen mountain biker who regularly hits the trails of Stromlo and also a passion for cooking and BBQ. 

“I’m obsessed with food. My days off are heavily revolved around food....planning ,prepping and cooking.”

Cooking could also be a future career move as a side-hustle for Howard as Canberra’s food trucks have become increasingly popular.  

“I would ideally love a barbecue truck, I think there's of quite a few hotspots in Canberra where there'd be a lot of quite a good clientele and maybe I’d be brave enough to bite the bullet and do it.” 

“Having a food truck sounds quite fun and be my own boss!” 

Recently one of Howard’s children needed care and it gave him a different perspective on the impact paramedics have on the community. He said despite the fact the community saying ‘thank you’ is very much appreciated, it wasn’t until his daughter needed surgery that he realised how much those on the front line are appreciated.  

“When people say thank you, we accept it but it's very ‘every day’ for us and we don't always understand how appreciative they are. Recently my daughter had surgery for a broken leg and we were so grateful for the health professionals in the hospital system.” 

“It’s a normal day for them doing surgeries and the nursing staff looking after post-operative patients. But being a family member of a patient, I can understand how appreciative this all can be. It is until you experience it from the other side that you feel it does make an impact.” 

Howard Luu and all ACT paramedics are being recognised this International Paramedics Day for their dedicated service and passion for serving the community.  

Thank you for everything you do.