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Emergency Response: Life, Death and Helicopters
Stories from a life spent in the emergency services - true tales of rescue and adventure.
When Dave Greenberg was just 13 years old, he saved a life for the first time, using CPR. He already knew that he wanted to spend his life helping others in times of crisis, and that harrowing event on a city footpath only confirmed this desire. He went on to spend 25 years working with Life Flight – the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service in Wellington, New Zealand, taking part in many daring rescues on land and at sea, often taking the role of ‘the dope on a rope’ – their own term for the rescuer who dangles from a winch over stormy seas trying to pluck people from heaving ship decks or from the ferocious waves. These are his stories.
When Dave Greenberg was just 13 years old, he saved a life for the first time, using CPR. He already knew that he wanted to spend his life helping others in times of crisis, and that harrowing event on a city footpath only confirmed this desire. He went on to spend 25 years working with Life Flight – the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service in Wellington, New Zealand, taking part in many daring rescues on land and at sea, often taking the role of ‘the dope on a rope’ – their own term for the rescuer who dangles from a winch over stormy seas trying to pluck people from heaving ship decks or from the ferocious waves. These are his stories.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2017
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73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 17, 2017
Dave Greenberg was born and raised in New York where he dreamt of becoming a New York Fireman. His parents had other ideas for him and he attended university where he studied IT. He never gave up on his dream and was eventually offered the opportunity to join the New York Fire Department. At the same time he was offered another opportunity to work in New Zealand.
New Zealand won and Dave moved to Wellington for work, initially thinking he would only be there for a year or eighteen months. He become involved with the Life Flight Helicopter Rescue Service and this book contains some fascinating stories during his 25 years working there.
Told with compassion, respect and a bit of humour Dave has met some amazing people and been involved with many dangerous and rewarding rescues.
I've always had an immense respect for the people who put their own lives in danger to save others and this is a great depiction of those rescues from someone who has spent his life doing exactly that.
New Zealand won and Dave moved to Wellington for work, initially thinking he would only be there for a year or eighteen months. He become involved with the Life Flight Helicopter Rescue Service and this book contains some fascinating stories during his 25 years working there.
Told with compassion, respect and a bit of humour Dave has met some amazing people and been involved with many dangerous and rewarding rescues.
I've always had an immense respect for the people who put their own lives in danger to save others and this is a great depiction of those rescues from someone who has spent his life doing exactly that.
May 13, 2018
One in a million human being!
April 2, 2019
A good read - nice short chapters (so great for reading on the train!)
Nice to hear from Dave in his own words about his career on the local rescue chopper.
Recommend to Wellingtonians who also remember the times the chopper flew over as they were growing up.
Nice to hear from Dave in his own words about his career on the local rescue chopper.
Recommend to Wellingtonians who also remember the times the chopper flew over as they were growing up.
October 30, 2018
This is an excellent recounting of Dave Greenberg’s life in New Zealand acting as a first responder.
It is amazing how many twists and turns his life took that landed him in that country. He dreamed of being a firefighter/paramedic since age thirteen when he was one of my favorite 70’s shows, “Emergency.” While the other kids were doing the normal things teenagers do, he was wrapped-up with spending his free time and sometimes, not so free time when he skipped school handing out at the local fire house.
His parents tolerated his infatuation with emergency crews but kept trying to push him into a more respectable white-collar profession: stock broker, lawyer, doctor etc. He was having none of it because the one thing he learned early was how much he hated school unless it was a topic of interest.
In college he found his second calling-computer programmer. This decision and the people he came across would seal his deal and make all his dreams come true, just not in the United State.
I admire Dave’s commitment to helping others out the majority of his life, however as the book progressed, the timeline fell apart and bounced around. The structure became convoluted with no discernable path.
The last twenty percent of the story came across as a hodge-podge of thoughts with no clear direction or course. I blame the majority of this problem with the publisher.
Three stars.
It is amazing how many twists and turns his life took that landed him in that country. He dreamed of being a firefighter/paramedic since age thirteen when he was one of my favorite 70’s shows, “Emergency.” While the other kids were doing the normal things teenagers do, he was wrapped-up with spending his free time and sometimes, not so free time when he skipped school handing out at the local fire house.
His parents tolerated his infatuation with emergency crews but kept trying to push him into a more respectable white-collar profession: stock broker, lawyer, doctor etc. He was having none of it because the one thing he learned early was how much he hated school unless it was a topic of interest.
In college he found his second calling-computer programmer. This decision and the people he came across would seal his deal and make all his dreams come true, just not in the United State.
I admire Dave’s commitment to helping others out the majority of his life, however as the book progressed, the timeline fell apart and bounced around. The structure became convoluted with no discernable path.
The last twenty percent of the story came across as a hodge-podge of thoughts with no clear direction or course. I blame the majority of this problem with the publisher.
Three stars.
March 31, 2023
I started reading the book as my assignment and totally clueless who ‘Dave’ is. The story started easy to digest, humorous and relatable despite it happened almost 30 years back. The real-life stories of some of the many rescues Dave mentioned in the book were so nail-biting and I was glued to my screen chapters after chapters.
The most memorable story is the Global Yacht Race where two teams abandoned their own race and sailed towards the distress yacht called ‘Imagine it. Done.’ who were running out of the supplies because of the unexpected turn of events. Humanity restored as they always say!
Also, is it just me or does anyone here thought Dave and Dee (Imagine It. Done. Yacht captain) will end up together? Hehehe I was shipping the two of them so bad! 🙈
Even though I finished the book in less than 48 hours, I felt I journeyed with Dave and his team in New Zealand. I was sad (and cried) upon reaching the end of the book especially how Dave’s rescue career came to an end but I am sure something’s better is coming for him.
Short book but informative, inspiring, and it makes you wish you have a big heart like Dave.
The most memorable story is the Global Yacht Race where two teams abandoned their own race and sailed towards the distress yacht called ‘Imagine it. Done.’ who were running out of the supplies because of the unexpected turn of events. Humanity restored as they always say!
Also, is it just me or does anyone here thought Dave and Dee (Imagine It. Done. Yacht captain) will end up together? Hehehe I was shipping the two of them so bad! 🙈
Even though I finished the book in less than 48 hours, I felt I journeyed with Dave and his team in New Zealand. I was sad (and cried) upon reaching the end of the book especially how Dave’s rescue career came to an end but I am sure something’s better is coming for him.
Short book but informative, inspiring, and it makes you wish you have a big heart like Dave.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2019
This was one of those books that I expected to enjoy (I like "true tales" from ordinary people) but I wasn't expecting it to completely absorb me & to want to keep reading till the early hours ...
I enjoyed the style of writing - it was honest & very raw in places, but sensitive to the patients/crew and I think he got the balance between humour & narrative just right. He was always quick to name and acknowledge the vital roles his many colleagues have played over the years and the importance of teamwork.
The latter few chapters of the book did change in tone - I suspect that Dave was still feeling the hurt of his redundancy at the time of writing and it reflected in the way the chapters were written.
I would love to read more - I'm sure he has enough to fill many more books - but mostly I wish Dave every success in his new adventures and thank him for his time providing such a vital service (and I'm half way around the world from New Zealand!)
I enjoyed the style of writing - it was honest & very raw in places, but sensitive to the patients/crew and I think he got the balance between humour & narrative just right. He was always quick to name and acknowledge the vital roles his many colleagues have played over the years and the importance of teamwork.
The latter few chapters of the book did change in tone - I suspect that Dave was still feeling the hurt of his redundancy at the time of writing and it reflected in the way the chapters were written.
I would love to read more - I'm sure he has enough to fill many more books - but mostly I wish Dave every success in his new adventures and thank him for his time providing such a vital service (and I'm half way around the world from New Zealand!)
September 16, 2018
Every Wellingtonian has heard of Dave Greenberg and knows of his 25 years of service with Life Flight and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Emergency Rescue is Dave's story of doing so much good while making a career out of doing what he loves. It makes me thankful that we have two capable and free ambulance services in Wellington. Challenging situations involve solid teamwork and Dave is quick to acknowledge the vital roles his many colleagues have played over the years. I enjoyed reading excerpts of Emergency Response for many weeks before finally finishing it today and wish Dave every success in the next step of his journey.
January 21, 2019
enjoyable read
This book had an interesting storyline that kept your interest. Would recommend it to anyone interest in emergency response history. Also contains interesting history on New Zealand.
This book had an interesting storyline that kept your interest. Would recommend it to anyone interest in emergency response history. Also contains interesting history on New Zealand.
March 9, 2018
As a volunteer firefighter, I found this book a fascinating read. It's really well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 21, 2018
Good read
A random choice not sorry I chose it. Volunteers that.serve.. Let their stories be heard. Thank you ! A fine. Tale of search and rescue.
A random choice not sorry I chose it. Volunteers that.serve.. Let their stories be heard. Thank you ! A fine. Tale of search and rescue.
December 30, 2018
Intriguing
Good autobiographical novel of the challenges of growing against the grain. Also great information about the New Zealand rescue service
Good autobiographical novel of the challenges of growing against the grain. Also great information about the New Zealand rescue service
January 9, 2019
Great.
Thanks so much, not only for writing and sharing your experiences but also in sharing your life in the service of others.
Thanks so much, not only for writing and sharing your experiences but also in sharing your life in the service of others.
March 29, 2019
Informative
A fun and information filled book that sometimes can be hard going due to the nature of the job. It was an amazing read that really highlights a different side of the voluntary and emergency services work. I loved reading it even though at times i had to put it down as the heavy nature of the topic discussed became too much. An amazing read.
A fun and information filled book that sometimes can be hard going due to the nature of the job. It was an amazing read that really highlights a different side of the voluntary and emergency services work. I loved reading it even though at times i had to put it down as the heavy nature of the topic discussed became too much. An amazing read.
November 25, 2023
I was gifted this book by the author. Found it an easy read. Very interesting to read of his experiences over 25 years working for Life Flight
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews