Guernsey’s longest-serving paramedic, Andy Adam, is celebrating an incredible 40 years of continuous service with the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service — and fittingly, he marked the milestone on St John Day (24th June), the very same date his career began back in 1985.
Andy’s journey into the world of emergency care started long before he donned the uniform professionally. As a young cadet in St John, he represented Guernsey in national first aid competitions and later became an adult volunteer. His full-time career began with the Patient Transfer Service before he trained as an Emergency Medical Technician and then qualified as a paramedic.
Reflecting on his journey, Andy said:
“As a St John Cadet, attending first aid competitions throughout the UK, I knew I had found my calling. Stepping through the station doors as a full-time member of the professional service was the beginning of a journey I could never have fully imagined.
It has been a varied and rewarding career — and it’s not over yet. The profession has changed dramatically, but what’s remained constant is the strength of the team around me. We’re more than colleagues — we’re an extended family. It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve this community.”
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
Over his four decades of service, Andy has become a deeply respected leader and mentor. He has served as Paramedic Station Officer for over 20 years and continues to respond to emergencies daily. He has been instrumental in major incident training, overseeing the Volunteer Ambulance Reserves, and enhancing Guernsey’s resilience to major emergencies.
His wide-ranging contributions include:
- Serving as Principal of both the Cliff Rescue Team and the Hyperbaric Decompression Chamber Team
- Providing operational support on the Flying Christine marine ambulance and Inshore Rescue Boats
- Delivering emergency care in Sark and Alderney
- Supporting Guernsey’s Covid-19 vaccination programme and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital Emergency Department
Andy’s dedication has been consistently recognised over the years. In 2023, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John, and earlier this year, he represented the Crown Dependencies in London’s VE Day commemorations.
Celebrated by Colleagues and Community
Chief Executive Officer of the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, Mark Mapp, praised Andy’s enduring commitment:
“Andy marks an incredible milestone this St John Day—40 years of dedicated service to the ambulance profession. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Andy since the start of my own career. He was my team leader and a valued mentor who helped shape my journey, as he has for so many others.”
“Andy truly lives the values of the Order: In the Service of Humanity. With respect, kindness, and an unselfish commitment to care, he continues to be a steady, inspiring presence—and we’re all the better for it.”
With no immediate plans to retire, Andy remains a key part of Guernsey’s frontline emergency response, continuing to serve the community he’s supported for the last 40 years — and inspiring the next generation to follow in his footsteps.
