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Paramedic's Trauma Leads to Innovative Air Rescue
29 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Paramedic founded a unique non-profit air ambulance service after career-ending PTSD.
- The organization addresses a gap in remote wilderness medical care in British Columbia.
- Staff wellness and peer support are core components of the new first responder model.
Paramedic Miles Randell, impacted by PTSD, established Technical Evacuation Advanced Aero Medical (TEAAM), a unique non-profit air ambulance service. This organization addresses a critical gap in remote wilderness medical care, offering advanced medical assistance inaccessible to ground ambulances. TEAAM prioritizes staff wellness through a 'wingperson' program, ensuring members have comfortable partners and regular check-ins, fostering a supportive work environment.
Randell's personal struggles with the intensity of calls and inadequate support led him to create a system that proactively mitigates mental health challenges. TEAAM's model is groundbreaking in Canada, being the first and only wilderness air ambulance service of its kind, staffed by experienced healthcare professionals.
This initiative not only expands emergency medical access but also serves as a model for addressing the profound mental health crisis within the first responder community. By integrating comprehensive mental health support, TEAAM aims to provide a sustainable and caring environment for its team members, demonstrating a new approach to first responder well-being.
