While he has retired from full time HEMS as he is now a full time Lifeboat Mechanic/Coxswain with the RNLI, Rod still carries out three flying shifts every month with EAAA. As you can imagine, he doesn’t have much free time as he says he gets easily bored!
Rod says: “I started part time with the ambulance service, and part time with EAAA. One week in every four I would be on the aircraft. I applied for full time with EAAA a few years later. I remember my interview very well! I now work part time with EAAA, seconded from the East of England Ambulance Service.”
When Rod was growing up, his family were associated with the lifeboats and helping to save lives. They all belonged to the St John Ambulance too, so becoming a paramedic brought all these experiences together.
Rod says: “For young people who might be considering a career as a paramedic, it’s a really satisfying role and the rewards outweigh everything. Seeing good patient outcomes and knowing you’ve contributed is really positive. I am so glad that I went for that interview 34 years ago; I’ve never looked back, and I’ll continue for as long as I possibly can!”
He adds: “My favourite part of my role is seeing that a difference has been made to patient care and meeting the patients once they have recovered. If it wasn’t for all the donors, fundraisers and supporters, we really wouldn’t have this fantastic service; EAAA is truly the people’s air ambulance.”