NEW Wiltshire Air Ambulance paramedics Emma Thompson and Adam Khan say it is a privilege to be working at the charity.

Following a secondment the trainee critical care paramedics have been given permanent contracts.

Emma said: “It’s like being the new girl again but it’s an enjoyable and fun learning environment. It’s a complete change of pace to what I’ve done before and I enjoy every aspect of my job. It’s also great to be able to practise my skills by training in the immersive simulation suite at the airbase.”

Adam said: “It’s not easy coming in as the newbie but everyone has been incredibly supportive. It feels like everyone’s opinion is genuinely valued and it’s important in a team like this.

The experience of the paramedics and pilots has been integral in helping me to develop in the job.

”The aviation part of the role was completely new and fascinating - involving new terminology and procedures - and it took a bit of time to adjust.”

Emma, of Bristol, joined Avon Ambulance Service in 2004 as a technician. She qualified as a paramedic in 2010 and five years later was promoted to operations officer in North Bristol.

Before joining the ambulance service Emma’s previous career was as a yacht skipper and she worked all over the world, including teaching the youth Olympic squad in the Cayman Islands.

Adam also changed career from working in a digital marketing agency in Dorset to joining the ambulance service.

Adam, of Poole, Dorset, qualified as a paramedic in 2011 and was based at Wimborne Ambulance Station, Dorset, for five years before becoming a clinical tutor. This role involved supporting front line ambulance staff in their education and professional development.

Adam, 33, has links with Wiltshire as his father was a cardiologist in the Royal Air Force and one of his postings was at RAF Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wroughton, when Adam was a child and the family lived there in the early 1990s.

Adam and Emma, 41, have joined Wiltshire Air Ambulance in its 30th year and they fully appreciate the support the charity receives from its volunteers, staff and the community who fundraises for it which enables them to do their jobs.

Emma, whose husband Fred is a critical care paramedic at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: “It’s amazing how much support the public gives the charity and without them, plus the support of the Board of Trustees and the work of the charity, we wouldn’t be here. It’s a great team.

“The volunteers are really friendly and lovely people and they give their time to the charity which enables us to deliver critical care.”