A man who falsely posed as a paramedic to provide emergency services at motorcycle events has been ordered to serve a 24-month community corrections order.
Lachlan Gardner, the individual in question, marketed himself as a paramedic through his company, Event Health Services, despite lacking any qualifications or registration in the field.
In 2023, Gardner provided first aid services at regional motorcycle events across New South Wales. During one event at Lake Innes near Port Macquarie, Gardner treated a child involved in a collision.
While assisting the child, he falsely claimed to be a paramedic to a triple-zero operator.
This deception delayed the operator’s instructions, leaving the child dependent on Gardner’s unqualified care until the child was airlifted to the hospital for intensive treatment.
The Downing Centre local court in Sydney heard Gardner plead guilty to multiple charges, including misrepresenting himself as a registered paramedic. Alongside the 24-month corrections order, he was also ordered to pay $5,000 in legal costs.
Protect lives, not lies—only qualified paramedics provide safe, reliable care.The title “paramedic” is protected under Australian national law and reserved exclusively for individuals registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra).
Martin Fletcher, Ahpra’s chief executive, described Gardner’s actions as a “gross violation of community trust.”
Fortunately, the injured child made a full recovery, and no harm from Gardner’s actions was evidenced.
However, Prof Stephen Gough, chair of the Paramedic Board of Australia, emphasized the risks associated with unqualified individuals impersonating paramedics.
He stated that this behavior undermines the trust and credibility of the profession while endangering public safety.
This case underscores the importance of verifying the credentials of individuals in critical healthcare roles and ensuring public trust in emergency services remains uncompromised.