About us

After being signed off as an Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) call taker, Alfie moved into full-time shift work. From there, his career progressed quickly. He stepped into the role of senior call taker, then took the opportunity to mentor others before moving into a relief call taking supervisor (CTS) role. Now, he’s responsible for dispatching ambulances.  

“I’ve taken every opportunity that’s come my way,” Alfie says. “Once I started mentoring, the step into relief CTS felt like a natural progression.”  

In his current role, Alfie helps coordinate the EAS fleet across the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region covered by Wellington Free.  

“The biggest difference now is that I’m responsible for dispatching the EAS fleet on my shift, under a guidance of a mentor,” he explains. “That means dispatching emergency ambulances to patients across the Greater Wellington and Wairarapa region. I’m talking on the radios with crews and organising resources for jobs from Newtown to the Wairarapa and up to Waikanae. I went from answering calls to 111 as a call taker, the very start of any response, to completing them as a dispatcher.”  

Finding the right place  

While studying health science and pre-med, Alfie joined Wellington Free to gain hands-on experience in healthcare. It didn’t take long for him to see the organisation as more than a stepping stone, with multiple career pathways and a supportive environment shaping his long-term goals.  

Alfie’s journey into healthcare began earlier through volunteering at Ronald McDonald House, followed by caring for a child with medically complex needs, both experiences that cemented his interest in the medical field.  

After six months at Wellington Free, Alfie made the decision to focus fully on his career with the organisation. “I dropped the degree and decided to focus on my career at Wellington Free Ambulance instead,” he says. “The pathway to become a dispatcher and eventually work as a team manager, really intrigued me.”  

It’s the opportunities, the people, and his strong interest in trauma and high-acuity cases that have kept him here.  

Supporting the room  

As a call taking supervisor, Alfie supports the team while they answer emergency calls to 111. He currently works in the role in a relief capacity, stepping in when there’s leave or sickness to cover, however since focusing on dispatching since February, it’s meant he hasn’t been in the call taking space as much.    

For Alfie, supporting the team during high-pressure situations comes down to awareness and his calm aura.  

“It’s all about listening to the room and understanding what the call takers need in that moment,” he explains. “Keeping calm and sticking to our standard operating procedures and using clear communication skills is how we get through the pressure and do our jobs correctly.”  

That support can be practical as well as reassuring. Alfie recalls helping during a challenging call where there was no location data available.  

“The patient was in the bush with no cell phone location data,” he says. “Using a maps tool, a hut name and an approximate distance from the road, I was able to find coordinates and pass them to the call taker so they could continue triaging.”  

Looking after each other  

Team wellbeing is something Alfie takes seriously and approaches with personality.  

“Snacks and vibes,” he says. “Banter, relatable gifs, Instagram reels and hilarious jokes.”

Birthdays and special occasions are celebrated with flair, helping to lift the mood and strengthen team connection during demanding shifts.  

When it comes to his own wellbeing, Alfie keeps things simple.  

“Being well caffeinated at work is essential. When I get home, I usually share how my day was with the flatmates, then on my days off I spend time with friends and family.” 

Balancing the pressure  

One of the biggest challenges of supervising is managing competing priorities.  

“There are times when calls are waiting, medical alarms are activating, and a call taker needs help all at once,” Alfie says. “It’s a balancing act.”  

His approach is to focus first on what’s most urgent and time-critical, then work methodically through the rest.  

Looking back, Alfie says the most rewarding part of the role is knowing he’s a consistent and reliable presence for his team.  

“The extra screen on my desk is a bonus,” he jests. “But really, it’s knowing that turning up every day to support the call takers and crew that makes the real difference at Wellington Free Ambulance.”

A message to the community  

Alfie would also like to share a message with the community.  

“Our role is to make sure the right help gets to the community as quickly as possible. If you need to call 111, a little patience and kindness go a long way. We’re an emergency service and we’re here to arrange the most appropriate resources when you need it most.”