In the late 1980's an electrician from the Central Coast was considering a change of careers, now 30 years later Ian Chapman is retiring after touching, and saving, the lives of thousands of Tamworth locals.
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Mr Chapman signed off for the final time at the South Tamworth Ambulance station, sounding the siren on more than 30 years with the service.
In that time Mr Chapman has served as everything, including being among the first crews to man the Tamworth Westpac rescue chopper as well as serve on the rescue rruck, and is now involved in training the next generation with his Parasol business.
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"I have had a great career since I moved to Tamworth to start as a probationer in 1989," Mr Chapman said.
"I have probably seen some things that most people will never see, but it is not all blood and guts; mostly it has been lovely people to work with and lovely patients.
"I am really going to miss that camaraderie and mateship because we are a very close group both in and away from work, although I won't miss the shift work and late-night calls."
Mr Chapman has seen Tamworth grow, move and change through the windows of an ambulance, and is now looking forward to taking a step back and enjoying the place he now calls home, at least for a few more years before a coastal retreat beckons himself and his wife, Geraldine.
"Tamworth is a great town - we love it - but I have been going flat chat with work and Parasol for 19 years," he said.
"It has been a brilliant career, and really good to me, but it is time to take a step back and enjoy life."
Colleague Brian Bridges has worked alongside Mr Chapman for most of his career, and said losing a 'rescue jockey' with 30 years experience will leave a huge hole. But he's happy to see his colleague ride off into the sunset.
"Ian is a great paramedic, great rescue officer and a great colleague - he will be greatly missed," he said.
