| Richard
Miller |
 |
I joined the Wilts Ambulance Service back in 1990 and worked
in the Ambulance Control Room for 5 years. From here I
trained as an Ambulance Technician and was based at Malmesbury
Ambulance station and after about 18 Months trained to
become a Paramedic.
I then
joined the Air Ambulance in 2003 and became the Team Leader
of the Unit in August 2004. |
| Bruce
Jarvis |
 |
I joined
the Kent Ambulance Service in 1986, starting on the Patient
Transport Service. I did my basic training for operational
duties in 1987 and in 1992 qualified as a paramedic. I then
applied for a position on the Kent Air Ambulance helicopter
and undertook an 18 month secondment. In
1997 I commenced service with Wiltshire, based at Amesbury
station before transferring to Warminster.
My previous
experience working on the Kent helicopter proved to be invaluable
and I was selected as a crew member to work on Wiltshire's
Air Ambulance. Following a restructure of the unit I started
in a full-time position as an Air Ambulance Paramedic in
2000.
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| Shaun
Russell |
 |
I
joined the Ambulance Service in September 1987 in Banbury Oxfordshire,
I then transferred to Wiltshire in January 1990 working in Salisbury
until I could move to Chippenham Station where I stayed until
I was seconded to the Air Support Unit.
I did my 2½ years and then I went back to Chippenham.
I was then asked to return 3 months later and I have been here
ever since with no desire to leave as it is the best post within
the Ambulance Service. In 2002 I had to do the Basic Observers
Course as we all have to, and because of being on for a while
I felt a lot of pressure to achieve a high standard, it was
a challenging two weeks which was a pass or fail and was relieved
to pass the course to a good standard. |
| Steve
Riddle |
 |
Steve
Riddle joined the Wiltshire Air Ambulance in October 2003
but joined the Ambulance Service in 1995 and is a paramedic
instructor.
Steve
said "joining the unit was a fantastic opportunity.
As with all new crew I underwent an intensive two-week air
observers' course. The course covered aircraft safety, weather
minima, mapwork and navigation. This was then backed up
with three weeks training in Devizes in order to learn all
about our aircraft, its procedures and on-board equipment,
including the thermal imaging and video camera".
"As
the aircraft's ambulance paramedic, the patient is
my priority. Not only can the air ambulance save vital
minutes getting to and from an incident, we can also
decide which hospital is the most appropriate for the
casualty's needs."
He added, "my job can be challenging, but it is
highly rewarding".
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| Andy
Newman |
 |
Prior to joining the Ambulance Service I worked for the Post
Office hence my nickname of "Pat". I joined the
Service in 1988 working out of Devizes Ambulance Station as
a Technician, then became a Paramedic in early 1992. I qualified
in 1996 as an Ambulance Aid Instructor with various secondments
to the Regional Training College at Chippenham, teaching various
courses including new Technicians and Paramedics.
I
then joined the Air Support Unit in June 2004 following
completion of my Basic Air Observers course at Filton
and a period of local procedures training. I am currently
studying for a BSc (hon) in Paramedic sciences at Oxford
university. |
| Jo
Munday |
 |
I am the newest recruit to join the Air Support Unit. I recently
completed my Basic Air Observers course at Wareham in Dorset
and following a period of local procedure training, I am now
part of the team!
I
joined the Wiltshire Ambulance Service in 1999, and after
my initial training, began my career at Swindon station where
I remained until my recruitment to the unit. During my time
at Swindon I worked both as a crew member on the ambulances
and latterly as a solo paramedic on the response vehicles.
Prior
to joining the service my background was in project management
for a number of companies including video production, brochures
/ magazines and greeting cards, so joining the service was
certainly a change for me!
In
my spare time I love to walk my Labradors, horse ride and
catch up with family and friends. I don't enjoy going to the
gym or getting my house work done, but unfortunately I have
to do these as well!!
Being
part of the team at the unit has fulfilled an ambition I've
had since joining the ambulance service and I feel very privileged
to be part of it. Of course it's the people of Wiltshire who
make it possible for us to be around in times of need, thank
you to you all for your continued support, you are all part
of the team too! |
| Kevin
Reed - Police Observer |
|
I joined the Wiltshire Constabulary in 1991 and have served
as a uniformed constable at Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon,
Chippenham and Marlborough Police Stations. In October 2002
I was lucky enough to have been selected for the very rewarding
post of police observer on the helicopter.
My main
role as a police observer is to respond to and manage police
tasks that the aircraft is sent to including missing persons,
offences in progress and pursuits. I also work closely alongside
the paramedics and I am able to assist with spinal immobilisation,
main line traction and vehicle extraction. I am also trained
to set up drips, prepare drugs and assist with CPR.
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| Nigel
Gilbert -
Police Observer |
|
I joined the Wiltshire Constabulary in 1991
as a Police Constable and in April 2001 I became a Police
Observer with the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
New staff were recruited due to the unit going from a
day time operation to being manned 19 hours a day flying
both day & night time.
Within this role I have seen sights from the sublime to
the ridiculous – from
harrowing road traffic collisions to naked sunbathers,
no two days are ever the same.
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| Adrian
Wells -
Police Observer |
|
I joined the Wiltshire Constabulary in June 1979 and have
been stationed at Devizes and Trowbridge. I was lucky
enough to be selected to join the Air Operations Unit in
April 1994 in the early days of police aviation. As
well as fulfilling my roll on the aircraft, I am also one
of the regional trainers for new Air Observers, which means
I get to visit other Air Operations Units in the south west
region and fly in a variety of helicopters.
I thoroughly
enjoy the varied nature of the police and ambulance work
and have learned lots of new skills from working with the
paramedics. I consider myself very fortunate as I actually
look forward to going to work.
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| George
Lawrence -
Pilot |
|
I work for the Police Aviation Services (PAS) who have a
contract to supply pilots for the Police and have flown
permanently with the Wiltshire crew for the past 7
years. I spent 22 years in the army, initially joining
the Infantry.
I did
this for 6 years before joining the Army Air Corps for
the remaining 16. I served in Bosnia, The First Gulf
War, Northern Ireland and other exotic places around
the world.
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