Volunteer in search for jet

A Rockingham SES volunteer became part of aviation history last month when he joined in the search for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

Jared Stewart-Roddis said there was a feeling of apprehension among the West Australian volunteers on March 24 as they flew at speeds of more than 1000km/h aboard an executive jet to the search zone.

He said his team spent four hours methodically scanning the water for any sign of the Boeing 777, using special techniques he learnt as part of his SES training.

“We were flying at an altitude of about 800 feet (240m), but we all felt so small out there in the middle of the ocean,” he said.

“There was a big feeling of expectation, because we all just wanted to find something.

“It was very surreal.”

The Edith Cowan University paramedical sciences student said he joined Rockingham Kwinana SES in 2007, where had been involved in lots of different types of emergencies and on-land searches.

He said his involvement in this search was something he would always remember.

“It was an honour to be involved in such a big international event,” Mr Stewart-Roddis said.

“I’m sure in years, I will be telling my grandchildren about it.”

DFES operations command deputy commissioner Lloyd Bailey said more than 75 West Australian SES volunteers had completed close to 1700 hours in the air searching for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, which went missing on March 8.

Rockingham Kwinana SES manager Dave Beard said he was “extremely proud” of Mr Stewart-Roddis and fellow volunteer Craig Chadwick, who joined the operation later.