Vinny Romano
Vinny Romano started his career in Cumbria Ambulance Service in 2000 working within the Patient Transport Service (PTS), within 4 years he had progressed to a State Registered Paramedic. Shortly after this he embarked on his Certificate in Teaching and Diploma in Paramedic Science. This was soon added to gaining his BSc in Paramedic Science. In 2010 he was one of the first cohort to gain the role of Advanced Paramedic which led onto him achieving his MSc in Advanced Practice, culminating in a dissertation focused on Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) and published papers in the international Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) and the journal of Paramedic Practice.
In 2015 Vinny recognised the need for a robust support system for his colleagues working within the emergency service. He was successful in writing and presenting a successful business case to the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), this was then developed from a trial implementation project across North Cumbria and Morecambe Bay to a Trust wide support programme with over 300 TRiM assessors and more than 30 coordinators, supporting both frontline and control staff as well as extending the support to corporate staff such as safeguarding teams and support services. This was achieved in partnership with Cumbria Stress and Trauma Centre with support from Vicki Hastings, Clinical Psychologist. Vinny was the lead for providing TRiM training to the TRiM Practitioners across NWAS and was called upon to lead a team of assessors to support staff following the Manchester Arena Bombing and took pride in playing his part in supporting the individuals that bravely worked during the incident.
In 2018 Vinny became the first Consultant Paramedic for Education in the Country which further allowed him to focus on TRiM. As he became an expert in training and implementation he was able to work with a number of partner organisations such as The Great North Air Ambulance (GNAA), James Cook University Hospital (Theatre staff), Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS), providing training courses and advice on successful implementation. In 2018 Vinny successfully became a Winston Churchill Fellow after proposing a research project focused on supporting the health & wellbeing of emergency workers,this allowed him to travel across a number of States across the US. Including New York, New Orleans, San Francisco LA and San Diego working with a wide range of emergency service organisations, exploring the different approaches to supporting the health and wellbeing of their staff.
Simon Walton
Simon Walton began his career in the electricity supply industry and subsequently became a lecturer of electrical engineering. It was during this time he became a Community First Responder (CFR) for the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS). During his time as a CFR he saw first-hand the work of emergency services and decided to follow his dreams and joined the Ambulance Service as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 2014.
He completed one of the last Paramedic Diploma courses in 2021 and has now finished his BSc top up in Paramedic Practice Development, both at the University of Cumbria. He is currently the chairman and standard bearer for his local branch of the Royal British Legion, being in his 20th year as standard bearer. He has also held a commission with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch) and Royal Air Force Air Cadets for over a decade and received his long service medal in 2018 and was awarded a bar for 18 years’ service in 2024. He gained his teaching qualification and degree in leadership and management during this time.
Simon experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) early in his career which gave him the opportunity to realise the importance of local peer delivered support. This was the route to Simon’s growing passion for supporting his colleagues.
Since then, he has been heavily involved in its development and roll out across the NWAS and is currently an area coordinator, practitioner, trainer, and quality manager. As well as delivering the training courses to partner organisation such as James Cook Teaching Hospitals and the Scottish Ambulance Service, he delivers on induction courses within a number of Universities to raise awareness about TRiM and general mental health and wellbeing.
Simon has not only personal experiences of mental health issues but is acutely aware that of the 21 individuals he trained with 4 have attempted to take their own life, this is something that drives his passion for ensuring the right support is available when it is needed.