Lowveld mourns the loss of EMS stalwart AJ Dreyer
AJ Dreyer, who was part of the emergency medical services in Mpumalanga since the early 1980s, is being mourned by colleagues and friends following the news of his death.
Known to many for his absolute professionalism and down-to-earth nature, tributes have poured in for Lowveld Emergency Medical Services (EMS) stalwart AJ Dreyer (64), following his death yesterday, February 15.
The Mpumalanga Department of Health’s spokesperson, Dumisani Malamule, said Dreyer had worked for the department’s EMS and only recently retired, on December 31.
He said he had started as a driver for the Standerton Hospital in the early 80s and obtained his basic ambulance assistant (BAA) qualification in 1984.
ALSO READ: Farmer walks 2km for help after being shot multiple times in attack near KMI Airport
“In the late 80s, he joined the Eastvaal District Services Council as a BAA, and in the early 90s, he obtained his ambulance emergency assistant qualification. He was later appointed as the ambulance station officer,” said Malamule.
“He rejoined the department in April 1999 when the EMS, which was previously under the former District Services Council, was integrated into the provincial Department of Health. He was a station manager of the Standerton EMS until 2004. In April 2004, he was appointed as a planned patient transport services [PTTS] officer at the provincial office.
“He also acted as an EMS operations manager from 2005 until 2016. He continued his duties as a PPTS manager, and it was during his tenure that the PPTS was fully integrated into EMS in 2020. He loved his work and wouldn’t complain about too much work, even if it was outside of his responsibilities. He believed in seeking or providing practical solutions to any problem,” said Malamule.
Emer-G-Med”s Martin Jeffrey said Dreyer was a gentleman of note.
“It did not matter what time of day or night it was, he would always greet you and get to know you. His death is a big loss to the EMS industry. Although he was retired, he was always available to give advice. I want to send my condolences to his family. He had a positive impact on everyone he met,” said Jeffery.
ER24’s regional manager Greg Wilcox said he had known Dreyer since 2008, and that he was very professional and also extremely down to earth.
“He was always approachable and he had years of experience. He was very easy to get on with,” said Wilcox. “He was a great colleague and friend to everyone who knew him.”
