Medics On Scene

05/01/2026

Post 6 — Bringing It All Together

By now, one thing should be clear:
effective event medical cover isn’t a single person, kit, or checklist.

It’s a system.

Across this series, we’ve explored what really makes a difference when something goes wrong at an event:

• Clinicians who are supported, not isolated
• Equipment that enables treatment, not just first aid
• Access and response design that works in real environments
• Planning that holds up when conditions change

When these elements work together, medical care becomes quiet, controlled, and effective — often unnoticed by the crowd, and exactly as it should be.

That’s the difference between having first aid on site and designing a medical response.

Our aim with this series was to lift the conversation, share frontline insight, and help organisers feel confident they’re providing care that genuinely matches their risk.

If you’re planning an event and want to talk through what appropriate medical cover looks like for your event we’re always happy to discuss it. Feel free to message us.

Good medical cover doesn’t shout.
It just works.

If you want to dig deeper on this topic, there is a companion series in our Blog, here: https://www.medicsonscene.org.nz/medic-resources-event-safety

04/01/2026

Post 5 — Systems Thinking & Real-World Conditions

💡 It’s not just what’s on the checklist — it’s how it works in the real world.

Events rarely unfold under ideal conditions.
Lighting changes. Terrain is uneven. Weather turns. Crowds move. Noise rises...

Effective medical cover depends on how well the system performs when things aren’t neat, including:

🚑 Access & reach — can responders move where they need to?
👩‍⚕️ Staffing levels & support — are clinicians backed up when workload spikes?
🧰 Equipment placement & availability — is gear staged where it’s actually needed?
⚡ Response design under pressure — does the plan still work when conditions change?

At Medics On Scene, we plan for reality, not just minimum requirements.
That means anticipating problems before they happen and designing systems that support clinicians — instead of stretching them to their limits.

Because good medical response isn’t improvised.
It’s designed to work when the environment doesn’t cooperate.

(FYI Photo was taken in Dec 2022 at the National Young Horse Jumping Championships as a local weather system pushed mammatus clouds, and ultimately rain, over the event. No, it's not AI created!)

03/01/2026

Post 4 — Access, Timing & Response Design

⏱️ Fast response matters — but good timing matters just as much.

You can have the best clinicians in the world,
but if they can’t reach the patient — or if the response isn’t well designed — it doesn’t matter.

At events, response is shaped by real-world constraints:
crowds, barriers, terrain, noise, distance, and movement.

That’s why we plan for:

🔹 How quickly we can get to the patient
🔹 How quickly we can get them out
🔹 Where equipment is staged
🔹 How we coordinate with ambulance and event crews

And here’s the part people don’t always expect:

Arriving too quickly can sometimes distort early assessments.
Patients often need a brief moment to settle so vital signs reflect reality — not adrenaline, panic, or exertion.

As the saying goes:

“Paramedics don’t run — if you see one running, run with them… they’re running away from something.” 😄

Care isn’t just speed.
It’s accuracy, context, timing, and thoughtful action — delivered through a system designed to work under pressure.

When response is well planned, you’ll probably never notice it happening.
And that’s exactly the goal.

02/01/2026

Post 3 — Equipment & Resources

🔥 You wouldn’t fight a fire with a garden hose.
So why manage medical incidents at events with basic first aid gear?

Effective event medical response isn’t just about who turns up —
it’s about what arrives with them, and how it’s staged and deployed.

That includes:

🩺 Assessment & monitoring equipment — so we know what’s happening, not just a guess
💊 Appropriate medications — aligned to scope and risk profile
🧯 Extrication and scene-support equipment — when patients can’t simply “walk it off”
📦 Advanced kits staged for fast deployment — complete and ready to be used in anger
🚑 Vehicles to move across site quickly — to reach patients and retrieve them safely

The difference between stabilising and treating a patient, and simply waiting for help to arrive, often comes down to what is within reach — and how fast it gets there.

That’s why event medical cover isn’t just about having "Medics" present.
It’s about building a mobile, responsive medical system that works under pressure.

01/01/2026

Post 2 in the series — "Clinician Capability & Support"

Even highly trained clinicians have limits — especially in dynamic event environments.

Experience alone does not guarantee effective care. Outcomes depend on:

🧰 Equipment — is it accessible, appropriate, ready to deploy
🤝 Support — hands to assist, communicate, coordinate
🏃‍♂️ Access — the ability to actually reach the patient

A single responder cannot manage everything at once.
Systems, staffing and resources turn competence into capability, the aim being positive patient outcomes.

Event medical cover works best when clinicians aren’t isolated — they’re supported.

We dive deeper into why events benefit from double-crewing here:
👉 https://www.medicsonscene.org.nz/medic-resources-event-safety

31/12/2025

Shapeshifter to finish the year? Not bad, Hawke’s Bay. Not bad at all. 😎🎶
We were on duty at Black Barn Vineyards last Sunday — sunshine, good people, and bass you could feel in your bones.

As 2025 comes to a close, we just want to say a ngā mihi nui to everyone we’ve crossed paths with this year — event organisers, crews, volunteers, whānau, and all of you kept us busy (but not too busy, thank you 😅).

Last mission of 2025: Napier NYE Party at the Soundshell, thanks to Napier City Council - Te Kaunihera o Ahuriri!
We’ll be there keeping things safe while you lot count down to 2026. Come and say Hi!

Stay safe, look after your mates, and have an epic New Year’s Eve.
🎉🥂

30/12/2025

🎉 In the New Year: A closer look at event medical care

Event medical cover is more than having "first aid" on site. It’s a system — people, planning, access, and capability working together when seconds matter. 🚑⚡

With WorkSafe NZ's guidance evolving around responder requirements for events, now is a perfect time to look at what makes medical cover effective, not just present.

Over the coming posts, we’ll break down the real-world factors that influence patient outcomes at events:

🏃‍♂️ Access & movement — can responders reach the patient fast?
👩‍⚕️ Staffing & resources — enough clinicians, in the right places
⚡ Response design — care that holds up when pressure hits

Whether you’re an event organiser, venue operator, or part of a planning team, these are the elements of duty of care that often go unnoticed… until something goes wrong.

Our aim is to share insight from beyond the frontline, unpack the WHY behind good planning, and help lift the conversation beyond “just first aid.”

👀 Keep an eye out — more posts are coming in the New Year.

23/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at Medics On Scene 🎄

From concerts and showgrounds to club pitches and racetracks, it’s been a big year — and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing people we work alongside.

To our event organisers and event crews, fellow event medics, suppliers, ambulance crews, rescue heli teams, urgent care and hospital staff — thank you for the teamwork, trust, and mahi that keeps people safe.

We wish you all a safe, restful, and well-earned Christmas, and look forward to continuing to work together in 2026.

Ngā mihi,
The Medics On Scene Team

21/12/2025

Sharing knowledge, shaping the future of event medicine...
Earlier this month, Medics On Scene joined forces with Pro+Med NZ Ltd and industry partners to deliver the ICP Conference (2–3 December) in Wellington—bringing together Intensive Care Paramedics and clinicians from across Aotearoa.
From event medicine to HEMS, frontline, and specialist environments, this was about more than networking—it was about sharing knowledge, sharpening skills, and pushing for clinical excellence in every setting.
A special shout-out to Cornelius from Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service, whose insights and experience added incredible value to the discussions.
Events deserve more than “basic first aid.” They deserve teams who stay current, train hard, and lead with standards that make a real difference when it matters most.
✅ Qualified clinicians
✅ Continuous upskilling
✅ Commitment to excellence

16/12/2025

🏇 What a great week in Hastings!

We had an awesome four days at the National Young Horse Jumping Championships, keeping riders, officials, and spectators safe while soaking up the action.
I wasn't there for all 4 days, but I did catch Josh Adamson riding Her Silver Lining for the win in the Dunstan Horsefeeds Amateur Rider Series – what a performance! That's photo number 1!

Our crew was on-site throughout, ready to respond if needed. Here’s a snap of two of our team watching over the Showhunter arena with one of our Response Vehicles.
✅ Because great events deserve the right response, in the right place, at the right time.

👉 Got an event coming up? Let’s chat about tailored medic coverage that goes beyond first aid. Message us for more information.

16/12/2025

Big news from Medics On Scene!
We’re proud to announce that our Clinical Services Director, Jules Dewar, has been appointed as Chief Medical Advisor for Equestrian Sports NZ.
This role is all about strengthening safety and medical standards across equestrian sports nationwide—a perfect fit for Jules’ expertise and passion for doing things right.
With 20 years of frontline experience as an Intensive Care Paramedic and a deep connection to the equestrian community, Jules brings unmatched knowledge to help shape safer, smarter events.
👏 Congratulations, Jules! Your leadership reflects everything we stand for: qualified people, robust clinical frameworks, and care that goes beyond “basic first aid.”

𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥 – 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿
ESNZ is thrilled to welcome Jules Dewar as our new Chief Medical Advisor (CMA), after Dr Graeme McCrory retired from the role earlier this year. We are truly grateful to Dr McCrory and thank him for the service he has provided ESNZ since 2019.

This role is all about strengthening our commitment to rider health, safety, and clean sport across every discipline we represent. Jules is no stranger to equestrian life. From her daughter’s days at Belmont Pony Club to her own role as event secretary at Battle Hill ODE, and with family still competing in Eventing, Show Jumping, and Mounted Games, she has always been deeply connected to our sport.

Professionally, Jules brings more than 20 years of frontline experience as an Intensive Care Paramedic, and now serves as Clinical Director for Medics On Scene. Her expertise in emergency and primary care, combined with her knowledge of clinical standards and regulations, means she is uniquely placed to help ESNZ deliver safe, consistent medical services at events nationwide.

Her passion for equestrian safety and welfare shines through, and we are excited to have her guiding our community in this vital area. Please join us in welcoming Jules to ESNZ.

Dressage NZ
ESNZ Eventing
ESNZ Jumping & Show Hunter
ESNZ Endurance
ESNZ Para-Equestrian

09/12/2025

A huge thank you to Cornelius at Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter Service 🚁 for sharing his expertise with our crew recently!
We were joined by members of the Napier Operational Support Unit of FENZ for an excellent training session.
Building strong relationships with our partners is vital—understanding Lowe Corp’s processes means we can prepare patients effectively and ensure a seamless handover when every second counts.
We’re grateful for the time and knowledge shared. Collaboration like this makes a real difference! 🙏