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Neil Dodds “Doddsy” started flying helicopters in 2002. Before joining the Rotorua rescue helicopter service Doddsy spent several years flying in the remote regions of Australia - the Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory, Cape York in Queensland and the Torres Strait. He then returned to the South Island of New Zealand to fly around the glaciers of the Westland and Mount Cook national parks.
Neil joined the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter service in February 2008 and is loving the various flying that the job offers.
Crew
The BayTrust Rescue Helicopter service employs the pilots with additional crew members made available on a contract basis from St John Ambulance, Rotoura Hospital and NZ Police.
On all accident work the air rescue 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.
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.
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