This International Women’s Day, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter is recognising the vital contributions women make onboard the rescue helicopter, and the wider community. As part of this celebration, Jennifer is sharing insights into her role as an Air Crew Officer/Paramedic.

Jennifer who joined the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew in 2022 after working as a frontline paramedic says, “no two days are the same” in her role, which blends “a mix of aviation and medical responsibilities.”

Her skills and dedication are central to ensuring lifesaving missions can happen every day, often in the most challenging conditions. As both a Paramedic and Air Crew Officer, she serves as the pilot’s second set of eyes and ears while also supporting the Critical Care Flight Paramedic during missions.

Her day begins with “checking the aircraft fuel and oxygen levels, followed by making sure all the medical and rescue equipment is in the aircraft and secured.” She then meets with the Pilot to discuss “weather, flight conditions, aviation notices that are valid during our shift, and any aircraft or base duties that need to be completed that day.” Whether her shift starts at 7am or 7pm, she prepares early to ensure she’s ready to respond the moment a call comes in.

Each day brings different scenery, different people, and different challenges. With no ‘typical day’ on the rescue helicopter, Jennifer and the other two crew members on shift – the Pilot and Critical Care Flight Paramedic - must be prepared to fly to a wide range of missions.

These could include hospital transfers, motor vehicle accidents, or searchandrescue beacon activations. The variety within the role offers constant opportunities to use and develop a wide range of skills.

One thing that is guaranteed is ongoing training. With no day ever the same, the crew remain prepared for the unknown. On quieter days without callouts, they spend time undertaking either medical or crew training and completing inventory checks.

In 2025, the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter completed 745 missions.

Thank you to Jennifer and all the exceptional women working onboard the rescue helicopters. Their impact is profound, contributing to lifesaving work that touches hundreds of families each year.

Your Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter relies on generous donations to help fund its life-saving missions. Donate to your local rescue helicopter today - https://give.rescue.org.nz/event/waikato-westpac-rescue-helicopter/donate

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