>>> THE CREW MEMBERS

The Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance employ pilots only and crew members are 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.

>>> THE PILOTS

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 work 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 the last 20 years.

Simon Lewis
Pilot

Simon began flying hang-gliders in 1985. His love of flying led to his private pilot's licence for planes, and, in 1990, a commercial helicopter licence. Since then Simon has flown as a professional helicopter pilot in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Simon's experience in helicopters includes film work, flight instructing, fire fighting and medivac flights. His most recent work in Australia involved marine-pilot transfers, landing on ships at night more than 200kms out to sea. Simon has been a pilot at the Westpac Waikato Air Ambulance since March 2006.