You can contact LEARNZ, part of CORE Education, at:
Postal Address:
PO Box 13 678,
Christchurch 8141,
New Zealand
Meet Ian Stothers (nickname Stutsie)
Job:
Senior Fireman and Assistant Wildlife Officer
Job description:
As a fireman to attend emergencies within the airport area. Last year Airport Fire Service attended about 550 calls - medical calls, fires, fuel spills, motor vehicle accidents and aircraft incidents. As an assistant Wildlife Officer, to carry out wildlife control duties when the permanent Wildlife Officers are away.
Work background:
I started off as a baker, worked for the airport company as a driver, then got a job as a fireman. I’ve been a fireman for 22 years and have always enjoyed the outdoors and love wildlife.
Favourite part of job:
On the fire side: love helping people in need – love fires and the thrill of the chase. On the wildlife side: enjoy the outdoors and making the airport safe by stopping bird strike (birds flying into aircraft).
Least favourite part of job:
On occasions finding dead animals which have been hit by an aircraft. Fortunately this doesn’t happen very often.
What I am working on now:
Learning new computer system which records all birds’ activity within the airport surrounds. Always learning new techniques and different ways of doing things to improve systems to help the airport operate better and smarter.
A quick story about a job well done:
A while ago, I and another fireman had to round up some sheep that had got out of a paddock close to the airport and onto the airport. It took about 15 minutes, with the boss yelling out to us to run left and right to round these sheep up and get them through a gate. No aircraft were allowed to land or take off while the sheep were out. We were lucky it was a quiet time for flights and there were no delays.
A (humorous) story about a job that went badly and what you learned:
A (humorous) story about a job that went badly and what you learned: While out bird scaring, I scared some birds with a banger. The birds flew up in the air over the top of me and did a poo which landed on my shoulder. I learnt to run fast if I see a bird flying over the top of me after scaring them.
Qualifications:
Australian Wildlife Control Officer Course – holder of NZ firearms licence; PHEC (pre hospital emergency care (medical); many Firefighting courses.
Interests outside work:
Time with my family (a wife and two daughters) and watching them grow up through all teenage stuff they do. Boating. Mountain biking. I also umpire netball to a high level on Saturdays (ladies) and on Wednesdays (mens).
Ian Stothers goes by the nickname "Stutsie". Image: CIAL.