Our National Operations Centre (NOC), relies on a small team of dedicated co-ordinators to provide client access, mission co-ordination services and the collection, recording & distribution of data to mention a few. The newest addition to the AMS team resides in this Department; today we get to know Dean Oliver, NOC Coordinator.
Who is Dean Olivier? “I can’t remember where I was born, I also didn’t really ask. I am sure it was in a hospital in Cape Town somewhere (lol). I lived in Atlantis initially but also grew up largely on the Cape Flats specifically Mitchells Plain and Delft where I still reside today. I matriculated from Roosendal High School in 2003 and studied & qualified from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in 2011.”
Were you in any other trade before? “Since matric I have been in the EMS environment. For three years I worked in the call centre industry, but this too required the use of my EMS knowledge.”
Why did you choose to join the AMS? “I think the question should be why AMS chose me. It is a field I have never experienced before so it offers me personal growth in an industry, I have no experience in (aviation). I also have a chance to be the coolest dad when I bring my son for a tour of the base.”
If you could master one skill you don’t have right now, what would it be? “Ummmm… tough question… be a pro at trading the foreign exchange, I guess.”
What do you do in your spare time? “Relax with family, going fishing and playing FIFA.”
What might someone be surprised to know about you? “I go fishing.”
What do you enjoy most about your job? “I enjoy the fact that every day poses new challenges. The challenges range from poor flying weather conditions to dealing with excel documents; but most importantly I enjoy the fact that AMS is a family. In my short tenure here, I have seen how pilots, medical crew, engineers and operations centre staff work together and all of this is in aid of flying our patients safely and rescuing the injured. Besides, who does not enjoy being part of a team who operates like a well fuelled and maintained AgustaWestland rescue helicopter?”
What is on your bedside table? “I don’t have one. But next time you ask the question I certainly will.”
If you could have dinner with five famous people from history, who would they be? “Winston Churchill – led Britain to victory in the Second World War; Madiba – widely regarded as an icon of democracy and social justice; Florence Nightingale – the woman who changed the face of nursing forever; Thomas Edison – Inventor The Phonograph, Light Bulb, The Motion Picture; Leonardo da Vinci – one of the world’s greatest thinkers, artists and philosophers.”
When your friends/family find out what you do, what do they say or ask? “When can we fly.”
What has been the happiest day of your life? “The day I married my wife Nicole.”
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? “To be part of the AMS flight medical crew.”
What is your greatest indulgence? “Playing video games.”
What is the one thing, you can’t live without? “My family.”
What is the one quality you feel best describes you? “Always willing to help.”
Best piece of advice anyone ever gave you? “Never underestimate the power of 1.”
Do you have a life philosophy? “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
