Award-winning paramedic joins crew

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A Dover paramedic awarded for bravery after rescuing two children from a house fire has joined the Kent Air Ambulance.

 

Father-of-two Chris Fudge, 37, received a certificate of commendation from Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer for his outstanding actions.

 

But he and a neighbour, who was also praised for their efforts, were unable to save the youngsters’ mother who tragically died in the blaze in Hardwicke Road, Maxton in 2001.

 

Emergency service staff at the scene said that without Chris’ quick thinking, the children would not have survived.

 

Chris, of Burgoyne Heights, has now joined the Air Ambulance at its Marden headquarters on a three-year secondment.

 

He said: “It really is a privilege to be here and be part of a new generation of paramedic providing specialist critical care at high speed.

 

“It’s fantastic to fly in a helicopter and serve the public of Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

 

“It’s a steep learning curve not only in the call-outs we go to but also being with doctors who have brains the size of a planet.”

 

Chris’ new role will involve manning the helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) “nerve centre” at Coxheath near Maidstone where all 999 calls are received.

 

One of his first duties was to give a speech to members of the public at the life-saving charity’s annual general meeting last month.

 

He told them: “We would not be here without your support, it really is much appreciated.”

 

Chris joined the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) as an ambulance technician in 1998.

 

He is no stranger to helicopters having worked with Dover Coastguard and the RAF search and rescue teams.

 

The former hospital porter qualified as a Critical Care Paramedic at the University of Hertfordshire last September.

 

Wife Karen, 31, also works for South East Coast Ambulance Service as a dispatcher. They have two sons – Ryan, 5, and six-month-old Jack.

 

Chris was brought up in Germany where his father Robin served as a sergeant in the Royal Air Force.

 

He added: “I guess being around aircraft and airfields most of my life has had a bearing on my future career. I’ve certainly always had an interest in aviation.”