Marty Dahlstrom doesn't consider himself to be a hero, even though the media has used that term to describe the helicopter crew who performed an unheard of 50 winch rescues in one day over flooded Bundaberg...

"The real heroes in these situations are the people of the Bundy community ... they bond together and help each other in the aftermath to clean up and rebuild properties and livelihoods," he says.

LINK also to CQUni big breakfast raises funds for flood victims

Paramedic Science student Marty Dahlstrom

Marty has recently started his role as a rescue crew officer with Emergency Management Queensland.

"I'm the down the wire man ... I conduct the rescue and assist the medical crew on board," he says.

Marty Dahlstrom was the centre of media attention after winching dozens of flood-bound people to safety

Marty says his crew was 'tasked' to Bundaberg on the Sunday of the floods. As the next day dawned, they received a call and were airborne by 6am.

"On the Monday of the Bundaberg floods we conducted 50 winch rescues of people on roofs and on car roofs. 

"It was my first operational winch since training and was also my 50 in the one day which is unheard of in rescue helicopter services. It was great to have the experience so early in my career and I have learnt a lot from it."

After completing school in 2007, Marty was employed as a lifeguard in the Cairns region for five years. He started study towards a Bachelor of Paramedic Science with CQUniversity in 2011 and is currently studying part-time due to his new role with EMQ helicopter rescue.

"I started with EMQ helicopter rescue, Townsville base in November and began around five weeks of intense training and have now been on operations since the start of the year," he said.

"My Paramedic studies have paid off greatly with this position. The skills and knowledge that I have learnt from the Paramedic degree lets me assist the doctors and intensive care paramedics on board with the clinical treatment of patients, while also having the understanding on how to use equipment that the medical crew uses is a advantage."

Marty says many of the people rescued were emotional and in shock because of the devastation and destruction of their livelihoods and properties.

"It took a lot of reassurance to let them know everything was ok and that we were taking them to a safe place. Many of our patients were very thankful of our services that we provided; a bit of a hug and a handshake meant a lot from people to the crew."

Marty says that, at age 22, he's still learning and gaining plenty of life experience.

"This job has been a dream of mine since I was a kid and to be able to get the job so early in my life is amazing. The University degree played a significant role in me obtaining this position, it has given me not only new skills and knowledge but life experience as well."