John Atkins of Loyalty Lodge No 243 has many hobbies and activities one of which is with Channel Island Air Search. They recently featured him on their social media, check out what they posted –
‘We’re excited to launch the first post in our ‘Meet the Crew’ series, giving you a closer look at the volunteers who keep the Channel Islands safe from above.
John is one of the organisation’s four Search Directors and first joined the team in 2013.
After a five-year break, he returned in 2021 where he has since gone on to manage the search crew training programme, leading regular training flights, ground training sessions and meetings with the other members of the CIAS Operational Management Team.
John has a background as a paramedic on the Flying Christine and St John’s Inshore Rescue Boats, and is now a Senior Ambulance Officer at St John Ambulance & Rescue Service.
On the aircraft, he sits in the P3 seat, directly behind the pilot and forward observer, and leads the conduct of the search. That includes setting the search pattern, working closely with the Coastguard and coordinating with other rescue teams.
‘The most rewarding part of the role is knowing that we’ve worked effectively as a team to search an area for whoever or whatever was missing. When we find them, there is a real sense of pride and of a job well done. It’s a way of giving something back to the community and helping your fellow human beings at their hour of greatest need.’’
To see more please go to their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1223292996505162&set=a.567616415406160
