CAREER ED 2

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WHO AM I INTERVIEWING?

Interviewing: Steve LeMessurier, Search And Rescue Technician at Cougar Helicopters.

1. WHEN DID YOU START WORKING AT COUGAR?I started working at Cougar in May, 1998.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR CAREER? WHY?

Yes I love my career. Because every day there is something exciting and new whether it be continuous training or operational missions.

3. WHAT IS YOUR CAREER DESCRIPTION?

My career description is a Search and Rescue Specialist ,which incorporates all aspects of air, land and sea Search and Rescue Operations. This also includes Advanced Paramedic and Open Water Survival protocals.

WHO INFLUENCED YOUR CAREER CHOICE?My father influenced my interest in military and/or civilian

Search and Rescue.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?When I was a kid I wanted to be a fireman, policeman, or

military. Any careers that involved helping people.

HOW DID YOU FIND THIS JOB?

I was liaison with another company involved in a joint training initiative with Cougar .When the job opportunity arose with Cougar I applied and was accepted.

WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE PART OF YOUR WORK?My favorite part of this job is helping people in distress.

Training to upgrade and remain proficient in my skills. And of course , flying.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULT PARTS OF YOUR WORK?The most difficult parts of my job is having to deal with death

and physical injuries.

WHERE DID YOU GO FOR YOUR EDUCATION?My education was a culmination of courses and training

offered by Department of National Defence, The Offshore Safety and Survival Centre ,and in house training with Cougar Helicopters. Plus many medical and survival courses.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO DO THIS JOB?What made me want to do this job is I was bored with my

occupation at the time and wanted something more fulfilling. I also needed a career that was primarily outdoors and hands on.

3 BIGGEST SUCCESSES IN THE PAST 3 YEARS?Some of my recent successes would be :

1. Being elected president of our local union

2. Completing Advanced Care Paramedic training . And

3. Receiving the Sikorsky Rescue Award.

NEGATIVES/POSITIVES OF YOUR JOB?

Negatives are when you cannot prevent injury or death, and the positives are when you can.

WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUESTED OF YOU ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS?Everything from administrative/computer skills, equipment

maintenance, physical high angle/land/water rescue skills, rescue swimmer, paramedical and hoist operator skills.

DESCRIBE ONE OF YOUR TYPICAL WORKDAYS?A typical workday would involve inspection and maintenance of

all rescue and medical equipment. At least two hours of in flight rescue training over water and land and administration of the Search and Rescue section.

WOULD YOU WORK THIS JOB UNTIL RETIREMENT?Yes I would work this this job until retirement because I am

happy with this job and have no desire to work anywhere else.

DOES YOUR WORK INVOLVE WORKING AS A TEAM?Yes, all aspects of my job involve team work and we rely

heavily on team concept.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR JOB, WHAT WOULD IT BE?I would not change anything except maybe a better pension

plan.

HOW MANY HOURS AND/OR WEEKS DO YOU WORK AT A TIME?I work three weeks on, three weeks off ,twelve hours a day to

a maximum of sixteen hours a day.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS?In five years I see my self working the same job in a more

senior position.

DID YOU ACHIEVE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS AS OF RIGHT NOW? Yes ,as of right now ,aside from total financial security.