Meet The Crew

Anne Weaver, Lead Consultant

Mark Shirran, Aircrew Doctor

I am a senior registrar in emergency medicine; training to become a consultant. I recently moved back to the UK after living in Australia for 5 years. Initially, I was only going to stay there for a year but liked it so much I stayed a bit longer! I am therefore doing my training through the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine. This involves not only training in the Emergency Department but also rotating through other medical specialties, including anaesthetics and intensive care, to learn all the necessary skills in order to be an emergency physician.

I knew from quite an early age that I wanted to be an air ambulance doctor. I went to medical school at the Royal London Hospital specifically because it’s where the London Air Ambulance is based. It always looked a very exciting job – and so far I’ve been proven right!

I take every opportunity to travel and visit new countries. While I am away I enjoy scuba diving, kayaking, wake-boarding and other water sports. 

 

Chris Martin, Aircrew Paramedic

 
I have been working for EHAAT since November 2008 and have been qualified as a Paramedic since 2003. When I’m not flying in the aircraft I work as an Emergency Care Practitioner at Welwyn Garden City ambulance station.

It has been an excellent opportunity to work for the EHAAT an I look forward to many more years of contributing to the work the charity offers the people of Essex and Herts. 

 

Dan Firmin, Aircrew Paramedic

 
I have been in the Ambulance Service since 2000, working at Colchester and Maldon. My interest in Air Ambulance Medicare developed shortly after. It's an absolute privilege to now be part of a team that can deliver impressive medical interventions to the pre-hospital setting to the people of Essex and Herts.
 

Before becoming a Paramedic I worked for HM Coastguard and served time as a volunteer crew member with West Mersea RNLI Lifeboat. I am still living in Mersea and know the charity support there is strong.

 

Ben Myer, Aircrew Paramedic

 
I have worked for the Ambulance Service for over 9 years. Whilst based at Cambridge Ambulance station I worked in both Ambulances and rapid response cars. My recent move to work on the Essex and Herts Helicopters has filled a long term aspiration to extend my skills and add to the care I can offer to patients. I am looking forward to the challenges that being a HEMS Paramedic offers and hope to take these experiences when I go back to work in Cambridge.

When away from work I enjoy taking time out with my two dogs, and increasing my flying time by taking my 9.5 meter power kite to a local heath where I successfully get dragged around ‘for fun’!

Adam Chesters, Aircrew Doctor

I grew up on the Wirral and spent most of my spare time playing football and golf before going to medical school at the University of Leicester (where I played even more football!). Since graduating, I have worked in Oxford, the Isle of Man and Sheffield before moving to Cambridge in 2006. I specialised in Emergency Medicine and have additional qualifications in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

I wanted to be a HEMS doctor following a visit to London’s Air Ambulance in 1999 and now feel proud and privileged to be working with a dynamic team of doctors, paramedics and pilots in Essex and Herts. It is a thrill to be part of such a professional crew that brings life-saving interventions to seriously injured people. I have been utterly astounded by the tireless work of the charity and volunteer staff who promote the cause and rally the donations in order to keep the aircraft flying.

 

David Kerr-Sheppard, Chief Pilot

 

I work for Medical Aviation Services (MAS), the company responsible for supplying the Essex and Herts Air Ambulances. I was in the Royal Air Force for over 30 years and spent most of my time flying Search and Rescue Sea King helicopters. I was also a Qualified Helicopter Instructor and spent 4 years instructing on the Sea King. I retired from the RAF in 2008 and now enjoy flying the MD902 Explorer helicopter, the aircraft used in both Essex and Hertfordshire.  I am the Chief Pilot of both operations and work closely with the Operations Director, Cliff Gale, to ensure the safe operation of the service.
 
I am a keen photographer but most of my spare time is taken up as a senior England Netball qualified umpire, umpiring in local, county and regional leagues as well as instructing and testing new umpires.