Young lifesaver rises to a new challenge

Published on 25, November, 2025

A former north-east firefighter, who is now training as a paramedic at the University of Sunderland, is rising to a new challenge with the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

Aaron Harlow-Stephenson, from Durham, is in the third year of his Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care degree.

The 27-year-old juggles the challenges of a student paramedic with his passion for rugby, and currently plays for Consett RFC in rugby union, and for rugby league has played for Midlands Hurricanes, Keighley Cougars, Newcastle Thunder and England University Rugby League.

Now, Aaron has added new skills to his already impressive list after spending the summer at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance charity.

“It taught me a lot that I can bring back into my own practice as a student paramedic,” he said.

“One of the biggest things I learned was how important it is to slow down mentally, even in fast-moving situations. Watching the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance teamwork showed me how effective structured communication, clear planning and shared situational awareness can be. It made me realise that good decision-making in pre-hospital care isn’t just about what you do, but how you think before you do it.

“The critical care team were always thinking several steps in front: what might deteriorate, what equipment will be needed, what the worst-case scenario is, and how to prepare for it.”

It has been a long-held ambition of Aaron to work in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, after a personal tragedy changed his career path. Before coming to university Aaron was a firefighter for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue. He became a Clinical Care Assistant for the North East Ambulance Service, assisting paramedics on emergency calls.

“My uncle was involved in a serious accident at work, and his local air ambulance attended,” explained Aaron.

“Sadly, my uncle didn’t survive, but my family has always been grateful for the care he received and for the efforts that were made to help him. That experience had a big impact on me and made me realise how important this level of pre-hospital care can be, not just for the patient but for the family as well.

“Because of this, working in pre-hospital critical care is definitely something I hope to work towards in the future. My time with the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance showed me what is required to operate at that level and confirmed that it is the direction I want to take as I progress through my career.”

Aaron has had a taste of the sort of fast decision-making, forward planning and team work that Helicopter Emergency Medical Services employ every day to deal with life-threatening situations.

Aaron said: “I specifically wanted to spend my elective placement with Helicopter Emergency Medical Services. Pre-hospital critical care has always been an area that has really interested me, because it brings advanced clinical skills, difficult decision-making, and a high level of teamwork directly to patients who are often in life-threatening situations.

“I wanted to learn from clinicians who work in that environment and see first-hand how they manage those complex cases.

“Overall, the experience didn’t just feel like a different role, it felt like a different way of thinking. It helped me understand what I need to develop as I move towards becoming a newly qualified paramedic and eventually working in critical care in the future.”

Mark Willis, Associate Head of School and Principal Lecturer in Paramedic Practice at the University of Sunderland, said: "This elective placement experience has been an amazing opportunity for Aaron, and will only enhance his abilities as a future paramedic. I am sure the learning opportunities that he encountered will bring significant benefits to him and all involved and will be something that remain with him throughout the next part of his journey."

Aaron has now worked as a firefighter, a paramedic and served with the air ambulance – so what’s next?

“At this point it looks like I’m collecting uniforms like they are going out of fashion,” he said.

“I guess I could always find time to join the police… Or open a cracking fancy dress shop. But really, my focus is just on becoming the best paramedic I can be, building experience and then hopefully working my way towards critical-care roles in the future once I’ve cracked the basics. If I can keep developing, keep learning and keep doing jobs that challenge me, I’ll be more than happy.”

Aaron has been supported by the University’s Futures Fund Experience Award. The award provides up to £3,000 for internships and extracurricular activities that give students access to opportunities that might feel out of reach.

All students on the University of Sunderland’s health profession and public health courses, such as Physiotherapy, Paramedic Science and Occupational Therapy, include elective placements hosted with the NHS or the wider health community.

For more information on the Futures Fund Experience Award and the other scholarships available at the University of Sunderland, click here. 

If you are interested in studying Paramedic Science and Out of Hospital Care at the University, click here. 

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