AN OPERATIONAL assistant at Cardiff Heliport who works alongside Wales Air Ambulance by day, has recently been assisted by the lifesaving crew whilst doing her voluntary job.
Chloe Hobbs, 21, joined the team nine months ago and is a key member of the heliport team, playing an important role in ensuring the safety and compliance of the airfield.
Her responsibilities include refuelling aircraft, carrying out airfield management activities and supporting fire-fighting duties. Alongside her operational role, Chloe also contributes to the customer experience, welcoming visitors and supporting base visits at the Tremorfa site.
She is also a Community First Responder in her spare time, volunteering for the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Chloe said: “I think all those who work within the emergency services have a deep sense of wanting to help the people of Wales.
“My role at Cardiff Heliport, working alongside the crew of Wales Air Ambulance, enables me to contribute in a little way to their lifesaving work.
“But through my volunteering role as a Community First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service, I have a much more frontline role, supporting those in need.”
Chloe started volunteering as a Community Welfare Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service two years ago and completed her first responder training last year.
She said: “I am fortunate to be able to dedicate so much time to helping people in the community. I am very passionate about this.
“Each call is different, it can vary from being a friendly face to offer support to someone going through a difficult time, to giving a clinical intervention.
“You might be doing CPR, managing a person’s airway or lifting an injured faller. Then the next day you could be looking after someone’s welfare and brushing their hair, your smiling face, might be the only one they have seen in quite a while.
“I always finish my shift, knowing that I have done my best and hopefully have made a difference.”
She added: “My voluntary role links in very well with my job supporting Wales Air Ambulance.
“Each time I see the crew taking off, I know they are taking advanced prehospital care to that patient.
“It takes years of hard work and training to get to their level– they are so dedicated to their job and saving lives.
“I am inspired by them each day, and feel a deep sense of pride, knowing that I am playing a small part in supporting the service.”
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Chloe has recently been backed up by the crew of Wales Air Ambulance whilst working as a Community First Responder. The Critical Care Hub based in Cwmbran identified a need to dispatch the crew. This happens when clinicians on scene have requested critical care support.
She said: “The crew have supported me four times in the past two months. They arrive on scene bringing such a calming presence, an extensive amount of knowledge and lifesaving equipment. I feel privileged to be able to work with them in both my roles.”
Chloe is very supportive of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and recently took part in the Walk Wales challenge in South Wales, alongside James Hook.
She said: “I love interacting with people who care so deeply about Wales Air Ambulance.
“I often get to meet past patients during base visits. It is very heartwarming hearing the impact the service has had on their life.
“It is important to take time to support those who are taking on huge challenges in aid of the charity.
“I was delighted to walk from Rhossili to Mumbles with over 80 people. It was a great opportunity to say thank you to those who go above and beyond to raise money.
“For me it’s about showing up and showing my appreciation. Every single pound really does help, I see how it makes a difference daily.”
Deborah Stephens, Airbase Manager said: “We are very proud of Chloe who is a diligent and valued member of the team at Cardiff Heliport.
“She dedicates an incredible amount of her spare time to helping people and we applaud the training she has undertaken to enable her to become a Community First Responder.
“Her compassion to support those during the most difficult times, resonates with us at Wales Air Ambulance. It is a value we hold dearly, and at the heart of everything we do.”
