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We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
We are the only emergency ambulance service in greater Wellington and the Wairarapa, and the only ones in the country who are free.
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Meet Georgia, Graduate Paramedic
Meet Georgia, Graduate Paramedic
07 February 2023
Meet Georgia, Graduate Paramedic
It was a single interaction that sparked Georgia’s interest in paramedicine.
“While working in retail, I had an incident with a young boy who had injured himself in a rather interesting manner. We called 111 and I watched as the attending crew did an amazing job with the boy and his mum - who was understandably very worried,” she says.
Growing up in Wellington, Georgia had not had much exposure to the ambulance service… until that day. Since then, she has devoted herself to developing her career in paramedicine and giving back to the community she grew up in.
She soon enrolled herself in the Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) programme at Whitireia, turning to full-time study for three years.
“It was difficult transitioning from working full time and earning a living, to studying full time and living off StudyLink and part time work. The study itself was great, I really enjoyed the content and found myself eager to learn,” she explains.
When Georgia first hit the road, the most rewarding experience was being a helping hand for people in some of their most vulnerable moments.
“Being there for people when they just need a hand up off the floor, someone to talk to, or just needing some reassurance was humbling. Or finding someone in cardiac arrest and delivering them to ED with a pulse and breathing.”
“I enjoy the fact that shifts are never the same. You see different patients presenting with a range of conditions and there is always something to learn from it,” she says.
Georgia was stoked when she officially became a new graduate paramedic with Wellington Free Ambulance last year.
“It meant the last three years of mahi and dedication paid off. I'm proud to have the knowledge to know when people need help, and to be able to help. And to be able to do it in my own back yard. It's so rewarding.”
Our paramedic crews respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It’s their job to work quickly and help by providing world class, compassionate care to almost 53,000 people and their families every year.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a Paramedic, click here to find out more information.