UKCR

About Oli

Oli O’Neill

Senior Trainer

I have volunteered with five NGOs around the world from the age of fourteen, and these experiences led me to subsequently train as a paramedic. Over the six years I have worked as a paramedic I have developed and reinforced a valuable and transferable skillset: self-resilience, decision-making, management skills, adaptability, ability to communicate with multiple and varied stakeholders, and operational planning. During this period, I spent time as a medic with a Search and Rescue operation responding out of Lesbos, Greece. Whilst working in this capacity I began to undertake key management tasks, such as embedding the practice of debriefs and facilitating them, as well as training and exercising new volunteers. I compounded this work with refugees by working as a medic in refugee centres, something which I still do today. These professional practice skills have now been reinforced by studying the academic literature and operational lessons learned from humanitarian operations through my MSc in Disaster Management at Bournemouth University. My academic studies have additionally honed my skills in the management of complex logistical issues within humanitarian assistance operations. My work as a flight medic has developed my decision-making under pressure, and organisational skills. My academic study and research have transferred my skills to an international context, whereby I am required to work with a variety of people from different countries, in complex situations. I am ready to deploy immediately and have a flexible schedule which allows me to adapt with ease.

Background

September 2022 – Current

Incident Response Advisor for the Environment Agency

A leadership role for Kent and South London, dedicated to planning, responding to, and recovering from large and small environmental incidents that occur.
In charge of strategic planning, including designing prospectuses for new duty volunteers, training, exercising, and ensuring a high standard of response as well as the volunteers’ health, safety, well-being, and inclusion
Looking over and changing rotas to ensure each area of Kent is covered for incidents.
Responsible for implementing a new and improved debrief system and ensuring learning points are addressed and followed up on
Worked alone and under my deadlines whilst ensuring the highest standards, and becoming involved with operational tasks when needed to ensure that I understood all sides of an issue
Coordinated with different partners, both internally and externally, to ensure that all plans, responses, and recovery intentions were technically, scientifically, and legally correct

December 2021 – Current

Flight Paramedic (BSc Hons) and Refugee Holding Centre Medic

Sole medic in charge of patient assessment, triage, treatment and ongoing care– often in dangerous and hostile environments
In charge of liaising with retrieval teams such as security forces, and Government bodies such as the Home Office
Sole medic at refugee holding centres on first entry into UK, responsible for triage, treatment, referrals, and health checks
Responsible for implementing medical recording system
Advocate for all patients providing inclusive and holistic care

April 2016 – Current

Band 6 Paramedic (BSc Hons)

In charge of managing and co-ordinating complex incident scenes, including major incidents and escalating appropriately to Bronze or Silver commanders
Managing and discharging patients on scene as an autonomous practitioner, responsible for making onward referrals and signposting patients to ongoing care if necessary
Effectively liaising with relevant stakeholders and health and social care agencies
Mentoring newly qualified paramedics and students development on the road
Responsible for maintaining and updating clinical skills and knowledge via continuous professional development

VOLUNTEERING

2019

Medic on Search and Rescue boat “Mo’chara”

Responsible for the health and safety of crew members and refugees during and after crossing The Aegean.
Introducing clinical debriefs to the organisation – providing training for their use and implementation

2015 – 2016

Kids Company (mentor and support worker)

Acted as a mentor for children with challenging behaviours
Responsible for liaising with teaching and pastoral staff regarding children’s progress and/or to raise concerns and issues as appropriate

2005 and 2006

Self-directed fundraiser and then mission to Sri Lanka

Created a charity and raised funds utilising public donations following the Indian Ocean Tsunami
Hired local builders and teachers and set up a primary school that was fully functioning and could be sustained without external assistance, thus helping with community resilience, recovery, and avoiding dependency-based assistance.

Education and Qualifications

2022

Environmental Incident Response Qualification.