Missions flown

9th - 15th August 2010

Missions flown to date

10,861

Meet the Crew

Tim Lange, Aircrew Doctor

I am originally from Hamburg in Germany where I worked in anesthetics, intensive care and pre-hospital care medicine for eight years. I also gained valuable experience working on the German HEMS service and in maritime medicine in Hamburg. I am pleased to be working in England, particularly for the Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance – the teams here have extended a very warm welcome.

I take every opportunity to travel and visit new countries. While I am away I enjoy scuba diving, kayaking, wake-boarding and other water sports.

Mary Morgan, Aircrew Doctor

I am from New Zealand but have lived in Australia for the past seven years. After completing my Specialist training I have been working as an Emergency Physician & Retrieval Specialist in Newcastle & Sydney. Having previously enjoyed living and working in the UK as a junior doctor I always intended to return.

I am delighted to be working with Essex & Herts Air Ambulance for the year as it gives me the opportunity to gain further experience in Pre-Hospital Medicine, gaining insight into HEMS operations in England & Europe (with several of my Essex & Herts Air Ambulance medical colleagues being from Europe).

Having previously spent little time in the South East of England, I am also enjoying exploring this part of the world (especially from the air) & travelling further afield to reacquaint myself with old friends & familiar places.

Chris Martin, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been working for EHAAT since November 2008 and have been qualified as a Paramedic since 2003. When I’m not flying in the aircraft I work as an Emergency Care Practitioner at Welwyn Garden City ambulance station.

It has been an excellent opportunity to work for the EHAAT an I look forward to many more years of contributing to the work the charity offers the people of Essex and Herts.

Dan Firmin, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been in the Ambulance Service since 2000, working at Colchester and Maldon. My interest in Air Ambulance Medicare developed shortly after. It's an absolute privilege to now be part of a team that can deliver impressive medical interventions to the pre-hospital setting to the people of Essex and Herts.

Before becoming a Paramedic I worked for HM Coastguard and served time as a volunteer crew member with West Mersea RNLI Lifeboat. I am still living in Mersea and know the charity support there is strong.

Ben Myer, Aircrew Paramedic

I have worked for the Ambulance Service for over 9 years. Whilst based at Cambridge Ambulance station I worked in both Ambulances and rapid response cars. My recent move to work on the Essex and Herts Helicopters has filled a long term aspiration to extend my skills and add to the care I can offer to patients. I am looking forward to the challenges that being a HEMS Paramedic offers and hope to take these experiences when I go back to work in Cambridge.

When away from work I enjoy taking time out with my two dogs, and increasing my flying time by taking my 9.5 meter power kite to a local heath where I successfully get dragged around ‘for fun’!

David Kerr-Sheppard, Chief Pilot

I work for Medical Aviation Services (MAS), the company responsible for supplying the Essex and Herts Air Ambulances. I was in the Royal Air Force for over 30 years and spent most of my time flying Search and Rescue Sea King helicopters. I was also a Qualified Helicopter Instructor and spent 4 years instructing on the Sea King. I retired from the RAF in 2008 and now enjoy flying the MD902 Explorer helicopter, the aircraft used in both Essex and Hertfordshire. I am the Chief Pilot of both operations and work closely with the Operations Director, Cliff Gale, to ensure the safe operation of the service.

I am a keen photographer but most of my spare time is taken up as a senior England Netball qualified umpire, umpiring in local, county and regional leagues as well as instructing and testing new umpires.

Anne Weaver, Lead Consultant

Hilary Smith, Control Room Dispatcher

Hilary has been in the ambulance service for 6 years and in December 2005 began dispatching the Air Ambulance. Hilary finds the job both challenging and rewarding but also finds time to support the charity personally. "I have just completed 'The Great Wall of China trek to raise funds for the charity. It was very tough but thoroughly enjoyable and I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity to take part. The Air Ambulance is a very important service, its work really does save time and lives."

Mark Shirran, Aircrew Doctor

I am a senior registrar in emergency medicine; training to become a consultant. I recently moved back to the UK after living in Australia for 5 years. Initially, I was only going to stay there for a year but liked it so much I stayed a bit longer! I am therefore doing my training through the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. This involves not only training in the Emergency Department but also rotating through other medical specialties, including anaesthetics and intensive care, to learn all the necessary skills in order to be an emergency physician.

I knew from quite an early age that I wanted to be an air ambulance doctor. I went to medical school at the Royal London Hospital specifically because it’s where the London Air Ambulance is based. It always looked a very exciting job – and so far I’ve been proven right!

Mike Yeldham, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been in the Ambulance Service for the past 10 years starting off in the patient transport service. Eighteen months later I progressed to emergency ambulances at Letchworth ambulance station and am now flying with the Air Ambulance. Before joining the Ambulance Service I worked as a wood machinist.

Stephen Dennehy, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been in the Ambulance Service for 9 years and have been working on the Essex Air Ambulance for just over 4 years. I have also worked at Stansted Airport as one of the Solo medic team. Now if I'm not on the helicopter I work at Great Dunmow Ambulance station. Before I joined the Ambulance Service I worked at Colchester Zoo, working with birds of prey & wolves. I live in Colchester and like films, books and the great outdoors.

Laurie Phillipson, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been with the Ambulance Service for 12 years and have been with Essex Air Ambulance for 8 years. I have flown over 1000 missions. Joining the Air Ambulance team fulfilled a long-held ambition and I'm very proud to be a part of it. The fundraising effort by the people of Essex is incredible and no matter where we fly I am always overwhelmed by the huge support that exists for the service.

When not at work I like to relax by spending time with my wife and 2 children, and making the most of my VW Campervan.

John McCusker, Aircrew Paramedic

I have been in the Ambulance service for the past 24 years, serving most of my time in the Watford and West Herts area. I am currently an Emergency Care Practitioner based at St. Albans and now an Air Crew Paramedic.

Dave Tamarro, Aircrew Paramedic

I have worked for the Ambulance Service for 14 years and have worked in Luton all this time. I trained to be an Emergency Care Practitioner but it has always been a career ambition of mine to work as part of the Air Ambulance. I am really looking forward to working with the Doctors and Pilots and all of the dedicated Charity staff.

Richard Eastwood, Pilot

I recently left the Royal Navy to pursue a career in the Air Ambulance world with MAS. I flew the Sea King for the Navy in many different areas of the world and from the decks of British and foreign ships. I was also an instructor on conventional aeroplanes and had a period working for the Royal Navy’s flight safety and accident investigation unit. I enjoy the ambulance flying and the team atmosphere working closely with the Medics and the Charity staff, ultimately benefitting our region.

Flying from both the Herts and Essex Air Ambulance bases means I get to see a large part of the region and often find myself out of the local area especially when transferring patients direct to specialist hospitals to give them the best care.

I enjoy sailing and have a RYA Coastal Skipper qualification and have recently taken up horse riding although house repair and refurbishment seem to take most of my spare time.

Keith Le Gresley, Control Room Dispatcher

Keith has been with the Ambulance service for over 25 years. In 2003 he became part of the Air Ambulance team with the responsibility of dispatching the Air Ambulance. "Recently I had the opportunity of experiencing a shift with the aircrew, which made me really appreciate just how important the role of the Air Ambulance is for the people of Essex."

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