About Us

Tayla has worked at Wellington Free Ambulance since 2014, originally helping with admin support. 

She has progressed through extra training to become an Emergency Medical Call Taker, then a dispatcher and now the team manager for Brown Shift in the Clinical Communications Centre. 

“Helping people, no matter how big or small their emergency might be to me, is significant; helping them through those times is really rewarding,” Tayla says. 

But for Tayla it’s also about being proud to be part of a team, who helps deliver critical services effectively and free to the patient. 

“For a service like this to be free means there is one less thing for people to worry about when they’re dealing with an emergency,” she says. 

“Too many times I have spoken to patients from other parts of the country, who when triaged have cancelled the ambulance because there is a cost and they can’t afford it. It’s really sad to see them prioritise this over their health.” 

When someone calls 111, emergency medical call takers use an international triage system to determine the condition of the patient, whilst dispatchers organise the best sort of help. The team are assisted by clinical paramedic advisors and registered nurses who provide help and advice over the phone to both patients and paramedic crews 

Tayla understands that no two calls are the same. Her job is to support the team, both call takers and dispatchers, and ensure the Clinical Communications Centre runs smoothly. 

“It can be busy but one of the best feelings is when someone stops and thanks you at the end of a call. Even though it might be a stressful time for them, it’s nice to know that you’ve done your best and you were there when they needed help.” 

In October last year, Tayla had the privilege to attend the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) Navigators conference in Auckland alongside nine of her colleagues – six who were nominated for the award of Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year. 

“Navigator was an amazing experience. The main thing for me was the amazing stories of resilience and how leaders in our industry­­ across Australasia have coped with significant events and challenges. It was also great to make some amazing friends with staff from across the ditch,” Tayla says. 

Looking at the year ahead, Tayla is excited about helping in any way needed. “That’s what I am here for.”