News : Roundswell & Sticklepath

Paramedic aircrew on Devon Air Ambulance Trust’s two helicopters will now be more identifiable, having adopted new bright red flight suits.

The distinctive suits will reflect the red colour of the helicopters which is generally recognised as the international colour for emergency services.

Paramedic and the Devon Air Ambulance’s Clinical Support Officer Nigel Hare explained: “The change from green to red flight suits is part of a broader policy. The new colour will help distinguish aircrew from the land ambulance paramedics in emergency situations, which require a multi-role response such as a major road traffic collision.

“At the same time the land ambulance crews are going all green to further enhance the different identities.

“Red is also a health and safety colour and will help us be more easily distinguished when the air ambulance is required to attend remote emergencies. We sometimes land in country lanes and have to negotiate fields or moorland so anything that more clearly identifies us to patients and others involved in an incident will help us all.”

Heléna Holt, Chief Executive of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust said “We would like to pass our particular thanks to the captain and members of Staddon Heights Golf Club who have chosen to support the charity by raising the funds to pay for the new flight suits. It makes a great deal of difference to the charity receiving donations such as this, as it means that the money the charity would have had to set aside for this purchase, can be used to keep the helicopters airborne.”

Aircrew paramedics Glenn Birtwisle and Helen Mackie.  Photo courtesy of NGH Photography