#414 STAY LEFT OF BANG: A Career of International Disaster Response & Rescue with Jim McParland Part 1

Jim McParland’s career reads like a blueprint for courage, discipline, and service. After joining West Midlands Fire Service in 1995, he quickly became part of the UK International Search and Rescue Team, deploying to some of the world’s most severe disaster zones. From the wreckage of the Christchurch earthquake to the chaos of the 2023 Turkey earthquake and the flooding in Malawi, Jim has been at the sharp end of international disaster response. His decades in the field, leading teams through devastation and recovery, reflect a lifetime dedicated not only to saving lives but also to building capability, trust, and professionalism in others.

This episode gives listeners an unfiltered look into that world. The reality of search and rescue, the split-second decisions that define an operation, and the leadership qualities that hold teams together under extreme pressure. You’ll learn what international deployments demand of a responder, how coordination unfolds amid catastrophe, and how resilience and preparation make the difference between control and chaos. This is Part One of a two-part conversation with Jim McParland, a story of skill, service, and staying left of bang.

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