The team lost two CCFPs back in April when both had to relocate for family reasons – one to Australia and one to the Waikato.

But they have now secured full-time replacements in Colin Green, originally from England, and Romania-native Alex Mihalcea.

Colin joins the Eastland Rescue Helicopter service after a 25-year career in land-based paramedicine, the last two decades in New Zealand.

In addition to bringing his clinical skills to the team, Colin continues to act as an advisor with the Paramedic Council of New Zealand which, he says, is a great way to give back to his industry.

Alex, too, brings years of experience with ambulance services, in his case in his home country of Romania, in Germany, and here in New Zealand.

Trained in psychology, he has also been active in clinical co-ordination, auditing, mentoring and education . . . roles he plans to build on in the future.

CAPTION: WELCOME ABOARD: After a month of both clinical and flight training, critical care flight paramedics Colin Green (right) and Alex Mihalcea are officially on-roster with the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team.