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Wiltshire Air Ambulance Crew

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 Richard Miller

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

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.


 Shaun Russell

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


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".


 Andy Newman

Andy Newman


I started with Wiltshire Ambulance Service in Oct 1988 after 6.5yrs with the Post Office, hence my immediate nickname of ‘Pat.'

I qualified as a Paramedic in early 1992 and then started to assist the Training staff at the Southern Ambulance Training College in training new Ambulance Staff. In 1996 I qualified as an Instructor following completion of my Ambulance Aid Instructors Course at Ladybridge Hall, Bolton. During the next 8 years I divided my time between working operationally out of Devizes Ambulance Station and the Training Department where I taught both new recruits, trainee Paramedics and various other courses to the general public as well as other health care professionals. 2004 was a busy year for me as I commenced studying for my degree in Pre-hospital Emergency Care at Oxford Brookes, along with commencing my training at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance. After a 3 week Air Observers Course at Filton, it was back to the Unit for 3 weeks local procedures before becoming one of the crew members on the Air Ambulance. The last 5 years have been somewhat busy with a combination of working full time, renovating my house, and finally completing my degree in September 2009, obtaining a BSc (Hons). I am currently studying for a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education at the University of Greenwich via Salisbury College.


 Jo Munday

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!

 
 Luke MacCallum
   

Luke MacCallum

I joined Wiltshire Ambulance Service in Jan 2000 as an Ambulance Technician based in Chippenham.  A year later I transferred to Trowbridge Ambulance Station to be closer to home. 

I qualified as a Paramedic in 2004 and took the opportunity to qualify as an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) in 2008. 


I feel very proud to have recently passed the Air Observers Course which took place at the Air Operations Unit in Devizes and I am delighted to be part of the team of Paramedics, Police Observers and Pilots at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.


 Kevin Reed - Police Observer


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.

 
 Nigel Gilbert - Police Observer


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.

 
 Adrian Wells - Police Observer


Adrian Wells


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.

   
 George Lawrence - Pilot


George Lawrence


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.

   
 Bob Lowis - Pilot


Bob Lowis


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 6 years.  Prior to this I spent 22 years in the army, initially joining to drive tanks!  I did this for 5 years before joining the Army Air Corps for the remaining 17.  I served in Bosnia, The First Gulf War, Northern Ireland and anywhere it was wet and had political turmoil.

I was also in the Blue Eagles Lynx display team until I left the Army in 2001.


   
 Bob Lindup - Pilot


Bob Lindup


I work for the Police Aviation Services (PAS) who have a contract to supply pilots for the Police. I have flown permanently with the Wiltshire crew for the last 3 months as the newest member of the team. Prior to joining the Air Support Unit I served for 22 years in the Army Air Corps.

During my Army Service I served in Germany, Northern Ireland, Norway, USA, and Cyprus as a pilot.

During my final tour in the Army I served as an apache instructor at Middle Wallop, the home of the Army Air Corps.


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