That job is the role of volunteer ambulance officer, and few would be more qualified to comment on its merits than the Scottsdale acting branch officer, who has spent the past 43 years of his life working as an intensive care paramedic.

“There's not too many things more valuable (to the community) than to step into a bad situation where someone potentially is losing their life and to turn it around and give someone a second chance,” Mr Jones said.

“There's probably no more rewarding job on the planet I don't think – I've been in it a long long time and I've never lost my love for the job.”

Like many regional branches across the state, Scottsdale currently employs two full-time paramedics but is always on the lookout for committed volunteers to assist with the workload. 

Recruits do not need to have a medical background but are required to commit to at least one shift per week. 

“(Volunteers) will be put through two to three weekends of induction and then they're required to attend fortnightly training and have a logbook they work through and get signed off,” Mr Jones said.

“It’s a big commitment for people but it's a good thing to do, I've seen some very timid people come into our volunteer ranks and after a while they're very confident around emergency situations so it's quite gratifying to see what they get out of it.”

Mr Jones said volunteers did not necessarily need to be from the Dorset area to apply.

“Quite often the volunteers working out at Scottsdale may not be local people, they might be people who travelled from Launceston to do a shift at the station and be there as the support officer for the professional paramedic.”

Applicants are encouraged to register interest by ringing the Launceston Tas Ambulance headquarters on 63365777 or by picking up a volunteer application package from the site at 450 Wellington Street. 

Applicants should have a current driver’s licence.