Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust welcomes two new air crew officers

The Eastland Rescue Helicopter's two new air crew officers Joanna Fraser and Joe Gibbs. Photo / Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust

Two people with backgrounds in disaster relief, counter-narcotics, counter-terrorism and defence have joined Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust.

Joanna Fraser and Joe Gibbs have joined the trust as air crew officers — trained medics who form an essential part of the three-person rescue crew, the trust said.

In addition to providing medical care, air crew officers carry out critical rescue tasks, including operating the winch to lower the critical care paramedic to patients in challenging environments.

“This is my dream job,” Fraser said.

Fraser recently left the New Zealand Defence Force after a career spanning 24 years, including 10 years in the Navy and 14 years in the Army as a medic.

She has relocated to Gisborne with her husband and their two children - aged 3 and 10 - seeking a fresh start.

“Gizzy’s really growing on me — it’s so unique here. My partner is from Tolaga Bay, so it made sense for us to try Tairāwhiti as our new home. When this role came up, I jumped at the chance. I still can’t believe I’m here.”

Gibbs brings extensive international experience to the role, having served for six years as a helicopter crewman in the Royal British Navy before training as a paramedic in Manchester.

“My whole career has been geared towards landing a search and rescue role like this, and I couldn’t be happier,” he said.

His background includes counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, disaster relief in Honduras and counter-terrorism missions aboard large military helicopters such as the Merlin.

“My wife is working as a doctor at Gisborne Hospital, so this role is absolutely ideal and the team is awesome,” he said.

“It’s so easy to be active here. We love surfing and swimming, so we’ve adapted really well to life in Gisborne.”

The trust statement said it was proud to have Fraser and Gibbs on board “and look forward to the experience, skill, and passion they bring to serving the Tairāwhiti region”.