About Us
T he Union was started in 1981 by a group of West Country ambulance personnel who, having served for several years, had become disgruntled with the traditional representation. They also felt that when it came to having their own 'specialist' union, action spoke louder than words - thus APAP was born. Whilst there are several multi-discipline unions involved in the Ambulance Service, the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel is the first certified independent trade union to cater only for ambulance personnel. The Ambulance Service has faced many changes, not only in equipment but also in the professional rating and skills of its staff. During the 27 years APAP has been in existence it has remained true to the belief of its founders. We have developed in line with our profession  Mark Weatherhead - General Secretary. Prior to joining the Ambulance Service Mark had a 3-year spell with full time release to carry out his duties as Regional Officer for the Union of Communication Workers. This was in a Health & Safety role and followed on from a 5-year spell as a local IR rep. Both of these roles gave him a good grounding in the fields of industrial relations and the developing H&S legislation. Mark started in the Ambulance service in June 1995 as a trainee Ambulance Technician. He qualified as a paramedic in 1997. At Southampton he acted up to Leading Paramedic and also mentored Trainee Technicians. In 2002 he transferred to Totton Ambulance station where he is currently working as a Clinical Team Leader. He Joined APAP in 1995 and became a mail drop for Hampshire Chapter. At the time of his joining APAP there were just three other members in the county. He progressed to Chapter Secretary and was able to introduce new members into the union by building a good reputation with the staff through representation, and management through professionalism. He was elected as Regional Officer for the South Central Region and took a seat on the National Governing Council where following a couple of years of putting forward the views of his region he was elected to the position of Assistant General Secretary. He has held the position of General Sectary since November 2001 and is now in his second term of office. APAP is the future of independent representation for Ambulance staff. Come and see, don't be the missing link. Ian O'Friel. Assistant General Secretary & Scottish Secretary: Ian joined the Scottish Ambulance Service in 1982. He qualified as a Qualified Ambulance Person now called Ambulance Technician in 1985.
He joined APAP in 1982 after looking at the various unions and came to the conclusion that APAP was the only ambulance union to be run by service ambulance personnel truly representing the needs and understanding of all ambulance staff. Over the years, he has held several posts, the most important of which he feels was being a Staff Representative unfortunately this has a tendency not to be an isolated responsibility. He has represented members on Health & Safety issues as well as at Medical Tribunals. Even carrying out his current roles as Assistant General Secretary and Scottish Secretary he has found time to play a major role in promoting APAP Education to reach the success it is today. Ian has been a member and officer of APAP for 25 years and it is his intention to remain so until he retires.  A4C LEAD for A.P.A.P.
Ray Lloyd: Began his career with West Midlands Ambulance Service in 1975 as a technician and then qualifying as a paramedic serving in various areas of Birmingham. The temptation of promotion has passed him by as he feels the position he holds as an advanced paramedic is still the only one for him in the ambulance service. He has been involved in many projects and trials that has not taken him "off the road" so he has a deep understanding of the ambulance service. This includes a heavy involvement in all aspects of A4C that started in July 2004 and refuses to go away. He confesses that he is still looking forward to a few more years yet which will be interesting to say the least. If you have any questions on A4C, you can contact Ray via APAP Head Office through the normal channels.
| 
