Our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) are EMAS personnel who have specialised skills to provide an ambulance response to major incidents.
These may involve chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) or other hazardous materials or could involve incidents such as train crashes, large-scale motorway accidents, building collapses or significant fires that have occurred as a result of an accident or have been caused deliberately.
Dave Turner is the Team Leader for the HART colleagues who are working New Year’s Eve this year.
Dave has worked for the ambulance service for 28 years, so has worked many a shift during Christmas and New Year.
During the festive period, when demand is high some of the team assist with emergency calls, such as life-threatening injuries and illnesses, while the rest of HART are ready to respond to major incidents or traumatic situations which require their special skills.
Dave explained that if they are lucky enough to have down-time during Christmas Day, the team usually have a Christmas dinner, do a Secret Santa and don Christmas jumpers.
Dave said: “Some of the team will phone their family or call them over Zoom, or something like that for the special moments, but my kids are all grown up now.
“In the past, when my kids were younger, we did a Christmas dinner early so we could celebrate together.”
When asked what the best Christmas present he’s received is, Dave revealed it is his saxophone.
He said: “I got it four years ago and had started to do well in lessons but then COVID-19 hit and I wasn’t a fan of doing them online. I’m hoping to take up lessons again soon.”
Dave is just one of the EMAS colleagues and volunteers who will be working over the festive period to help patients.
He said: “I wish all those who are working a safe shift and I hope everyone celebrates sensibly.”