Service above and beyond

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The Faculty of Pre-Hospital Care (FPHC) is delighted to celebrate the achievements of two of its Members from home and away.

Inverness paramedic Duncan Tripp received the This Morning Emergency Services Award at the Pride of Britain Awards, which marks the achievements of truly remarkable people. American paramedic Victor Hoffer was honoured with the Star of Life Award in the US. Their stories demonstrate dedication to patient care, education and maintenance of the highest standards in the pre-hospital field.

FPHC welcomes multidisciplinary Members from around the world, and recognises their importance for collaborative learning, experience and commitment to the objectives of the Faculty.

Outstanding bravery

Search and rescue hero Tripp is a winch paramedic who risked his life to help save at least 11 climbers in grave difficulty on Ben Nevis. He works from Inverness and lives in Lossiemouth, and described receiving the award at a televised ceremony in London as “surreal and humbling”. Tripp paid tribute to his colleagues and other emergency services without whom he wouldn’t be able to do his work.

Tripp had already been awarded the 2023 Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy for outstanding bravery when he received the Pride of Britain award.

Tripp was part of the duty search and rescue crew who responded by helicopter to reports of a 28-year-old male who had fallen on the slopes of Ben Nevis on 8 March 2022. Severe weather meant the helicopter could not land or hover safely, so the decision was made to land further down the mountain. Tripp volunteered to leave the safety of the aircraft and, loaded with rescue gear, wearing crampons and carrying an ice axe, take the laborious and dangerous ascent back up the slope.

He realised the situation was more complex than initially understood, with multiple casualties, dangerous weather conditions, a snowstorm and 60mph winds. Despite the heightened stakes, Tripp continued on in his successful rescue operation.

Dr Pam Hardy, Chair of FPHC, says: “The nature of what Tripp was faced with that day epitomises the challenges and unpredictability of working in pre-hospital care. His qualities and exceptional effort demonstrated exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to his duty.

“In working tirelessly on the mountainside, far from the helicopter, enduring hours of harsh and treacherous conditions, his actions resulted in the rescue of multiple individuals facing life-threatening circumstances. The Faculty offers its congratulations for this deserved award.”

Heroic acts

Paramedic Victor Hoffer received the 2023 National Star of Life Award from the American Ambulance Association in Washington, DC. The American Ambulance Association Stars of Life programme celebrates professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in service to their communities and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) profession.

Hoffer is a Captain Paramedic-Firefighter volunteer with Mt Angel Fire Department, Oregon, and a lifelong community servant. This is the fourth time he has received this honour in his 43-year career in EMS. He has previously been honoured for his contributions to his community, education, teaching and training, as well as elder abuse protections through legislation, with the Star of Life Award in 1997, 2002 and 2005. 

He has served on committees including the Governor’s Elder Abuse Task Force, the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Committee, medical advisory boards, medical protocol committees and Mt Angel City Council. He is also the author of The 63 Year Old Probie.

Hoffer says: “EMS is a team effort. Paramedics and EMTs are committed to their communities – we deliver excellent medicine with dedication and compassion. It is a privilege and a duty to serve my community.

“I have a quest for knowledge and to find the best practices in medicine. When I found BASICS and the College providing educational opportunities, I jumped to attend. After 25 years of membership, I remain proud to be a member.”

The American Ambulance Association says Hoffer had been a steadfast presence in the EMS community since 1980, serving with Falck Northwest Ambulance in Salem, Oregon.

With more than 40 years of experience as a Nationally Registered Paramedic, he has consistently demonstrated proficiency and dedication.

“Tripp volunteered to leave the safety of the aircraft and take the dangerous ascent back up the slope”

A recent event underscored his capability and resilience. He and his partner, Carol, responded to a harrowing call involving a nine-year-old girl found unconscious and without a pulse in a bathtub. Carol commenced CPR while Hoffer swiftly established an advanced airway. They faced the challenge of persistent pulseless electrical activity for over 45 minutes administering advanced life support.

By the time they reached Salem Hospital Emergency Department the girl’s temperature was 24°C. Through a combination of their initial interventions and the hospital’s subsequent treatments, the patient left the hospital with the ability to speak, communicate and play with her toys. 

Rob Dalke, Salem Operations Manager at Falck Ambulance, says: “Their actions and those of the hospital, along with quick thinking and excellent medicine, saved her life and gave her a future once again. The heroic efforts by Victor and Carol were the critical link to save this girl’s life.”