About Us

“You never know a person’s story or what they might be going through. To enter the worlds of so many different people and their situations, and knowing that I can make a difference is rewarding,” she says. 

Laura joined Wellington Free Ambulance as a volunteer when she was studying at Whitireia in 2018. She is now a Graduate Intern and works on Red Shift alongside Intensive Care Paramedic and preceptor Tim. 

In the short time she’s been on the road, Laura has experienced many stand out moments, both happy and sad.

“From the get-go, it has been a positive and encouraging atmosphere that I love surrounding myself with.

"I love that I'm impacting people's lives in different ways – whether that’s being a presence for someone vulnerable and lonely who needs a listening ear, or providing life-saving treatments for someone who is unwell," she says.

A job that comes to Laura's mind involved a 1-year-old with breathing difficulties.  

"They were pretty sick and struggling to breathe; and their parents were very concerned. It was hard, especially because they were so young, but we were able to give them the medication to help them breathe and transport them to hospital for further treatment."

"The gratitude and appreciation their parents had for us was an incredible feeling and something I will never forget. It's moments like these I feel as though I have really made a difference."

This line of work is what Laura has dreamed about since she was 13 and feels privileged to be working for Wellington Free now. 

“There are truly no words to describe the way I felt when I found out I’d got the job. My heart was racing and I couldn't believe my dream was coming true.” 

Laura is proud to have reached this milestone and to have the opportunity to continue learning from the experienced staff around her, working towards becoming a paramedic. 

“The support and learning experiences I have is incredible. I am continuously learning from the best people and have found myself dealing with situations I never thought I would be able to. 

"I love that every job is different to the next and I like to think of each as an opportunity to learn something new and enhance my knowledge and clinical practice.”