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The Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance employ pilots only and
crew members are made available on a contract basis from Waikato Hospital,
St John Ambulance and NZ Police.
Medical transfers between hospitals require flight nurses,
and are rostered to be available to the service from their
respective units such as ICU (Intensive Care Unit) and NBU
(New Born Unit).
On all accident work the air ambulance service utilises paramedics
from St John Ambulance to respond to emergencies in the field.
These paramedics are readily available to respond to accidents
and emergencies in the pre-hospital environment.
At serious accidents and emergencies, an A-Zero response
may be required, where a specialist doctor would be transported
directly to the scene.
Search and rescue missions require the use of trained Police members. They often operate the long-line and winch and are very good observers in searches.
In all cases the medical and paramedic crew are specifically
trained to perform their duties in and around the helicopter,
and in most cases will be trained in familiarisation, long-line
and winching.
Grant Bremner
Base Manager / Pilot
Grant has been with the service since its inception in 1987.
He grew up in a family with an interest in aviation and commenced
his flying career in Taupo with the forestry and venison industry.
Grant has worked overseas in Africa, Australia and New Guinea
prior to returning to Taupo to become involved with air rescue
services. Grant has managed the Waikato Air Ambulance for more than 20 years.
Loren Haisley
Pilot
Dan Harcourt
Pilot
Dan joined the Waikato air ambulance service in November 2008, after
spending five years as the base manager and pilot of the Taupo rescue helicopter.
He holds helicopter and fixed-wing licences in both New
Zealand and Australia and spent four years mustering cattle in a R22 helicopter in Western Australia before moving to Taupo. He has had a variety of flying experience
starting with venison recovery in South Westland, crewing
for CHC Scotia Helicopters in Scotland and in the Torres Straights for Australian Helicopters. Dan now has more than 3500 hours
helicopter experience and his Instrument Rating.
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