(Left to Right) Dave Hankins, Cllr Smith, Phil Crowther
Thursday 18th August 2016 – 3.15pm – Murray MacGregor.
One half of a duo of paramedics who have almost 90 years of service has retired.
It comes only a fortnight after the pair were given a civic award by the Chair of Wychavon District Council.
Paramedics Dave Hankins and Phil Crowther were presented with certificates by Councillor Frances Smith at a meeting of the full council.
The pair worked on a rapid response vehicle based at Evesham. Dave started with Worcester City and District Voluntary Ambulance Service in July 1969 while Phil is a comparative spring chick having started in London in 1975 before moving to Worcestershire in 1979.
But now Phil has hung his radio up for the very last time after 41 years of work with the ambulance service.
The pair were honoured by the Council after Councillor Smith saw them receive long service awards at the Trusts Annual Awards Ceremony.
As well as being a dedicated paramedic, Phil was a stalwart of the Staff Advice and Liaison Scheme (SALS), which supports ambulance staff who have had to deal with particularly traumatic cases.
A large group of staff, past and present joined him last night in Evesham for an appropriate send off.
Phil said: “I have had a fantastic career. In particular, I am immensely proud that I helped to train no fewer than 120 paramedics when I worked in the Training Department.
“Thank you to all who came to say farewell – a definite throat-lump moment.”
While Phil will be taking life a little easier from now on, it seemed appropriate that he handed over the keys of the response car to Dave last night.
Dave says he has no plans to take life a little easier any time soon. He said: “I am immensely proud to work for West Midlands Ambulance Service. The way we treat patients has moved forward so much since I started.
“I know some people don’t enjoy their job, but I can honestly say that I have enjoyed every single day helping people; helping my community.”
Ends
