Air Crewman

Experience:

I previously spent 2 and a half years with NRMA CareFlight in Sydney and before that 12 years in the Australian Defence Force. Including 7 years as an Avionics Technician with the Air Force on F-111’s and 5 years in the Army as an Air crewman Loadmaster on Black Hawk Helicopters.

Highlights:

Operational service in East Timor during my military service and now the regular feeling of accomplishment after completing a successful emergency medical mission.

Most memorable mission:

Safely winching 11 people 230 feet from the base of the Grand Canyon in the Blue Mountains after they had became lost, injured and were suffering from hypothermia.

Hobbies and interests:

Spending time with my wife and daughter, camping, fishing and golf.

Experience:

One of the major highlights of this job is the sense of achievement you get when you work together as a team to accomplish a positive outcome for a member of the public who has been involved in an accident.

Have done multiple winch rescues over land and water and hundreds of Primary Medivacs and inter-hospital retrievals.

Highlights:

Being involved with professional pilots, crew and administration personnel within our service who make every task run smoothly. I enjoy passing on my experience to our volunteer crew who are as keen as when I first joined the service. I enjoy going out on a Medical or Search and Rescue task and knowing I have completed the task safely and as good as I could have.

Most memorable mission: Winched our rescue crew down to a young woman who was clinging to a rock ledge at Kondalilla Falls, Mapleton, then winched them both up to the aircraft. Her friend had fallen to his death.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoy weekend trips away when not working, taking grand-daughters to the beach, body boarding, reading non-fiction books and Caravan World magazine, keeping fit.

Experience:

• 10 years Scouting
• 2 years Honorary Ambulance Officer
• 13 years Queensland Police Service
• 15 years Surf Life Saving
• Diploma of Search & Rescue Co-ordination

Highlights:

The Aviation Emergency Medical Service / Search & Rescue industry is a very positive & healthy environment to work in. Most people are thankful to us wherever we go even though they may be suffering some grief at the time. You really get the feeling of helping the community.

Most Memorable Mission:

There have been 4 missions where people I personally know well have been airlifted by our service. The 1st was a member of my Surf Life Saving Club suffering spinal injuries, 2nd was my school teachers husband and family friend / former neighbour suffering cardiac condition, 3rd was a friend and fellow bushwalker of my fathers, 4th was my boss. I was a member of the crew on 2 of these tasks which gave me a good feeling to be there for them, and is a reminder to all of us that we never know who may need our assistance in the future. Most people I speak to know of someone that has been airlifted by one of the rescue helicopters.

Hobbies & Interests:

Motorcycling, Camping, Trekking, Domestic & Overseas Travel, Water sports, Mountain Biking, Surf Life Saving, exploring hinterland waterfalls / towns and coastal National Parks, coffee with the boys & reading true stories of adventure and survival.

Experience:

Worked as an auxiliary firefighter for 3 years before going to university to study. After university I became a performer (magician) for a short time and more recently I've been involved in computer programming and website development.

Highlights:

Joining the Rescue Chopper team back in 1998. At 17 I went into the hangar to apply to become a crew member and was told the minimum age was 18. I came back when I was 18 to be told the age had been raised to 21. So I came back when I was 21 and the rest is history!

Most memorable mission:

We were called out late in the afternoon to an unconscious person in a small half-cab boat in Moreton Bay. The paramedic and I were winched down to the boat. After initial treatment of the patient (who weighed about 130 kg) it was determined that due to the patient's medical condition and the awkwardness of winching the patient up to the helicopter by stretcher we had to either head the small boat towards Bribie or Moreton Island where we would meet the helicopter: we chose Bribie Island. Due to the weight of the patient, paramedic and myself the boat was nose high and not making very good speed. After 20 minutes and with light fading we were happy to see the Coast Guard approaching us. After transferring to the Coast Guard boat we arrived quickly at Bribie Island where we loaded the patient into the helicopter and flew to Royal Brisbane Hospital.

Hobbies and interests:

Music, drumming, learning, having fun with family and friends.

Experience:

17 years in the Victoria Police, with the last 3 years at the Police Air Wing as an Air Observer.

Highlights:

At the Victoria Police Air Wing I was lucky as it is one of only three operations in the world that covers police, search & rescue, and air ambulance operations. Highlights include fast roping special operations members onto ferries, airlifting more than 60 people in the East Victorian 2007 floods, and working with hi-tech infrared cameras. Also coming across to this excellent organisation and working with a small group of highly dedicated and professional people.

Most Memorable Mission:

In 2008 we were tasked to transfer a man from Bundaberg to the Royal Brisbane Hospital with a torn aorta, in difficult weather conditions. Just before landing at Royal Brisbane, the patient’s condition deteriorated without warning and we were sure he would die. As a crew we were very busy, but worked together to treat the patient and land quickly. We then wheeled him straight into the operating theatre where the surgeons were waiting. A month later we found out he lived and we received very moving letters of gratitude from the patient’s wife.

Hobbies :

Spending time with my wife, swimming, surfing and bushwalking.

Experience:

26 years as an Electrical Fitter/Mechanic, before becoming a full-time crew member with the service. Active surf-lifesaver for many years.

Highlights:

Inaugural Volunteer crewman with AGL Action Rescue - Bundaberg.
The biggest highlight would have to be working alongside my aviation and emergency medicine colleagues which make up our close team that serves the communities of Wide Bay - Burnett Regions.

Most memorable mission:

Rescue of 5 sailors near Lady Musgrave Island. Wet, cold and blowing a gale. You don't really feel the cold and wind until the task is finished

Hobbies and interests:

Surfing, paddling, motor sports and enjoying a BBQ with family and friends along with a cold beer.

Experience:

9 years in the Australian Army (Motor Mechanic). 24 years QLD TAFE Teacher (Automotive, WHS and First Aid), 4 years QLD Police Officer.

Highlights:

Being part of the beginning of the Helicopter Rescue Service in Bundaberg as it grows to its full capacity.

Most memorable mission:

Rescue of a lone fisherman who had been on a small rock islet cut off from shore by rising tide, waves and wind. Exited the aircraft at the hover, grabbed the fisherman and boarded the aircraft in strong winds.

Hobbies and interests:

Surf-lifesaving - active patrol captain, Rugby Referee and Cycling.