Profile - Kantu Patel

Born in India in a little village call Viraval near Surat in the state of Gujarat. Came over to England via BOAC (the air carrier) settling in Northamptonshire. I cried all the way from Bombay (Mumbai) to London!

I have previously worked within the NHS and qualified as a Nurse in General and Psychiatry specialising in Intensive and Coronary Care. I also spent time working as a Rig Medic (Gas/Oil Platform and Drillers) and involved with international transfers of critically ill patients. I still keep my "hand in" by lecturing in trauma care to maritime / offshore personal at the Maritime College in Lowestoft.

I started my fire service career as a Retained FF in Suffolk then moved to into Whole time with Nottinghamshire (I still miss Nott's!), moving to Suffolk to take up post as trainer specialising in Water Rescue.

Presently, I am an (WM) Instructor with Norfolk FRS with lead subject areas in Trauma Care and Water Rescue, as with Suffolk, I still teach on other core courses (Breathing Apparatus, Fire Behaviour, Recruits and RTC).

My passion is Martial Arts, which I have been involved with since '72. I run my own Karate association and endeavour to promote positive role models, social skills of respect, community engagement and family values.

Highlights of my life; have to be my "kids" (all 4 of them!), achieving my Water Rescue instructor qualifications, representing team GB (AMA squad) in Karate, went to Okinawa in 09 to train with "the masters" and playing semi pro football.

As a local rep along with Isabel Farrelly (E&D officer) for AFSA my role is to raise the awareness of AFSA, offer support, guidance, development and act as a focal point for ALL who need it.

"For evil to prevail good people do nothing" (a quote from the inauguration of the AFSA conference `09).