Keith's a First Aid hero
THIS week reporter Katy Whitelaw speaks to Keith Murrie, an accident and emergency team leader with the Scottish Ambulance Service, based in Kirkintilloch.
Keith (48), is married to wife Lorna and has one daughter Laura and a dog called Louis.
How long have you worked with the ambulance service?
For 26 years.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It's a good job. I love the banter and the humour. That gets you through a lot of situations.
Each day is different. You never know what you will be doing from one minute to the next.
What are the challenging parts?
Some call outs are hard to deal with and it helps to talk to other staff about what you have witnessed.
Post traumatic stress is common in this job so you have to develop ways of coping with seeing some pretty terrible things. I have had a few sleepless nights about things I have witnessed.
Is there good camaraderie in your work?
Yes, there is a great team ethic and we have fun together.
I have the greatest respect for the men and women I work with because of the job we do.
What did you do before working for the ambulance service?
I joined the army when I left school and then I worked as a security guard.
How long were you in the army?
Six years
What were you involved with during your time in the army?
I served in Northern Ireland and was involved in a couple of nasty incidents during that time.
In 1977, close to where we were based, a Kennel Club Christmas dance was being held. However, explosives and petrol were on the windows and the place went up in flames. The people inside who were killed were innocent. Someone had got their wires crossed about who was supposed to be inside.
I also spent time in Germany and ended my career in England with the parachute regiment.
Why did you leave the army?
A combination of reasons. They were moving my unit to Hong Kong and I didn't want to go.
I had also just finished a two year tour in Northern Ireland and had become a bit disillusioned. But I enjoyed my time over there, it's a really nice place.
Did your army training help you deal with your current job role?
Yes, the training helps and kicks in when you arrive on scene. You have to be able to switch off, but some of the situations we are involved in can be bad.
Situations can affect you quite badly if you don't deal with them, but there is a good system of counselling offered by the ambulance service if required.
Do you think the television show Casualty reflects your job?
I would say that it is a dramatisation.
I have actually been involved in filming for Taggart and Cardiac Arrest playing a paramedic. It was quite exciting and good fun, but there was a lot of hanging around.
You are due to receive a bravery award from the Royal Humane Society, what was that for?
My colleague and I rescued a woman from the Campsie Hills earlier this year.
I have also received an award from the fire brigade for rescuing a fireman with my partner. We got trapped in a burning tower block 18 floors up in Springburn and we had to carry him out.
What are you most proud of?
Overcoming my fear of heights when I was in the parachute regiment.
What is your dream job?
To be a fighter pilot.
Do you have any hobbies?
Gardening, DIY and relaxing.
I have also done some voluntary work at Laura's school where I taught pupils how to do CPR.
Getting to know you
First record: Something by Mud
First car: A gold Mini automatic
Book currently reading: I am researching about shipwrecks around Scotland
Favourite TV programme: Bad Lads Army
Favourite holiday destination: Scottish Islands
Famous person most like to meet: Richard Branson
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: West
