Skilled Paramedics Allan Cottle and Dave Pascoe, based at Falmouth ambulance station, are the first ever civilians to receive the Kodima trophy from 771 Royal Naval squadron based at RNAS Culdrose.

Both Dave and Allan are qualified aircrew and have made outstanding contributions to 771 search and rescue squadron over the past 12 years. Giving a lot of their own time, as well as dedicated flying time as agreed by South Western Ambulance Service, Dave and Allan, along with Ian Penhaligon, the Chief Air crewman for 771 Squadron at the time, pioneered the medical training and care given to casualties by search and rescue teams. Ian Penhaligon is a trained Paramedic and now works for the Trust at Carbis Bay Ambulance Station. Allan Cottle has co-ordinated this successful initiative for ten years, along with several other navy personnel including, Daz Jones, Jase Bibby, Andy Penrose, Dave Rigg and Jay O'Donnell.

In addition to flying on the aircraft and treating casualties, Dave and Allan provided the squadron with its first medical equipment prior to funding given by the MOD. This equipment was funded by FLEET (Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust) which is spearheaded by Wadebridge Paramedic Supervisor, Norman Trebilcock, who organises a number of local fundraising activities, the proceeds of which help to fund medical equipment.

Allan took the liaison lead between military search and rescue and the ambulance service, which has developed so successfully that the RAF has adopted the model. The continuation of this programme has allowed other Paramedics to support 771 squadron in the search and rescue role and crews have now been empowered by training so that when a front line ambulance service member is not accompanying the crew them, they can administer some of the techniques independently, which is obviously of huge benefit to the patient.

Due to the extensive training provided by the College of Search and Rescue Medicine, of which Allan is a part, many MoD and Navy staff are becoming trained Paramedics. Members of the 771 squadron also regularly work on front line ambulance vehicles with Paramedics in a third manning capacity.

A total of 12 front line Trust staff work on a rota basis, with one member of staff going out each Wednesday with a search and rescue team from 771 squadron.

This scheme is the only one of its kind operating throughout the country.

Allan's input is invaluable due to his expertise and knowledge which has fed into his role as a faculty member of the College of Search and Rescue Medicine. Both paramedics are also active in fundraising and helping local communities and those further afield, as both are affiliated to Helston based charity Shelterbox and have visited Sri-Lanka to deliver aid and help with the clean-up operation.

The success of Dave's input is also evident by some of the rescues of which he has been a part including the Boscastle floods where he helped to rescue people from the roofs of houses.

The Kodima Trophy is an extremely select award and never been given to civilians before. The official presentation took place earlier this month. Both men had no idea that they were being given an award and their presence was requested at the squadron hangar at RNAS Culdrose under false pretences, where the entire 771 squadron, which equates to in excess of 100 people, were all waiting to formally commend them.

The trophy is the name sake of a ship that sunk in 2001 in heavy gales 21 miles south of Fowey. A helicopter was scrambled from RNAS Culdrose, which airlifted off the crew and there was no loss of life.

Dave and Allan's names are on a plaque at the squadron as well as on the trophy that they each received. Both are delighted with this achievement. Allan says, "I thoroughly enjoy contributing to the partnership that the Trust enjoys with the 771 squadron and am thrilled to have received this prestigious award. It is evident that this skill sharing exercise works extremely well and I am sure that it will be rolled out in other ambulance trusts in the future. I would like to emphasise that we are extremely fortunate to have developed such a close working relationship with the 771 squadron and none of this would have been possible without their dedication, support and commitment."

Dave Pascoe's view mirrors Allan's sentiment: "This mutually beneficial relationship between the Trust and 771 squadron works extremely well and I look forward to it continuing in the future. I am both surprised and delighted by being awarded the Kodima trophy and I would like to sincerely thank everyone at 771 for thinking of us."