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January 17, 2025
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February 6, 2025As a Critical Care Team, our crew never know what their next job will be, or where. That’s why all our Specialist Paramedics in Critical Care (SPCCs) have to train to become a Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Technical Crew Member.
What does it mean to be a HEMS Technical Crew Member?
Once qualified as a HEMS Technical Crew Member, the paramedic can take dispatch calls and initiate a response. This involves plotting the route to the job, programming the GPS system on board the aircraft to assist the pilot in navigating, and identifying suitable and safe landing sites as close to the scene as possible.
Because we are an air ambulance, we have certain exemptions from aviation law to allow our crew to get to a patient as quickly and efficiently as possible, such as landing in unsurveyed sites, and having priority over other air traffic. However, to be able to qualify for these exemptions, there must either be a copilot or a HEMS Technical Crew Member on board, sitting in the cockpit alongside the pilot.
HEMS Technical Crew Member training
Our trainee SPCCs James Leavor & Waldo Zweep joined GWAAC in June 2024 and have been working incredibly hard on their journeys to becoming fully qualified SPCCs. In January, they ticked off the latest part of their training by completing their HEMS Technical Crew Member course over a two-week period.
Each week represented a different aspect of the training. Week one consisted of their ground school theory lessons with Pilot Jim Green. This covered everything from navigation, meteorology, aircraft warning systems and emergency drills. They then progressed onto week two for the practical lessons navigating around our area with simulated emergencies and navigation exercises. This gives them valuable experience to be able to respond to our patients as part of our Critical Care Team. They worked in varied weather conditions courtesy of the Great British weather and completed landings at various regional airports and hospitals.
It's no surprise that both James and Waldo passed this challenging course with flying colours – Congratulations both!
Upon completion, James said “I’m really excited to have this important course completed, it’s a huge step towards qualifying as a Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care and will allow me to soon work independently with our Critical Care Doctors."
What next for James and Waldo?
The last member of our crew to complete their SPCC training was Callum Sutton. In 2023, Callum gave us an insight into his journey to becoming a fully qualified SPCC, as well as what follows once qualified. To see what James and Waldo still have to look forward to, read Callum’s journey here.
I’m really excited to have this important course completed, it’s a huge step towards qualifying as a Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care and will allow me to soon work independently with our Critical Care Doctors.