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“I support Katie, our Emergency Planning Manager, to make sure the organisation is prepared to respond to any crisis whether that’s a natural disaster, a major event, or anything else that disrupts our normal operations,” Emma explains.

It’s a role that goes beyond paperwork. Emma is part of the team responsible for ensuring Wellington Free has the plans, policies and procedures to respond to the unexpected and bounce back stronger.

“It’s about being ready for anything. We build that capability across the organisation so when the pressure’s on, we know exactly what to do.”

From paramedic to planner

Emma’s journey into emergency planning hasn’t been a straight line and that’s part of what makes her so good at it. With nearly 10 years at Wellington Free Ambulance, she’s experienced the organisation from many angles.

“I actually started in the events team back in 2015,” she says. “Then I moved into patient transfer, joined the graduate paramedic programme and was on the road as a frontline paramedic up until last year.”

Emma’s background also includes working in healthcare settings before she even joined Wellington Free Ambulance, from dental clinics to emergency departments. So, when the opportunity to shift into emergency planning came up, it felt like the right next step.

“I’ve always loved the operational side of things. I’d worked with Katie before in the events team and helped with a few emergency planning pieces, so when the role came up, I was really interested. I wanted something that was connected to my clinical experience but was also more family friendly.”

Balancing work and motherhood

Emma and her husband are raising three young children – a lively four-year-old and nine-month-old twins.

“Weekends are mostly a blur,” she laughs. “There’s lots of washing, prepping and chasing little ones around. But we love it. Getting out with the dog is my little escape sometimes.”

Making the shift off-road has been key in helping Emma find a better balance.

“I don’t think I could manage this with three young kids if I was still doing shift work. My current role gives me the flexibility I need and I still feel really connected to the work.”

A proud moment

One of Emma’s most memorable career moments was during the 2022 Parliament occupation, when she supported the mass casualty response.

"That was a huge moment — serious and complex, but ultimately something to be proud of. In an organisation with limited resources, we all stepped up and contributed."

It was also the driver for Emma’s interest in emergency planning.

Always learning, always growing

In her new role, Emma has had the opportunity to learn from other agencies and build new skills. From completing the tactical commander’s course to attending moulage training in Auckland no two weeks are the same.

“These are the kinds of things I never would’ve done if I was still on the road,” she says. “There’s a lot of professional variety at Wellington Free; you’re not locked into one path. You can grow, change, and explore new areas, all within the same organisation.”

And that’s something she doesn’t take for granted.

“There are good people here. I’ve had a lot of support from my team, and I still feel like I’m making a difference - just in a different way.”

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Emma and for everything you do to help keep Wellington Free Ambulance ready for anything.