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Sam is one of the paramedic stars of Onesie Appeal 2025.

“I wanted to be in the medical field,” Sam says. “Seeing how people showed up for my brother made me want to do the same for others.” 

That deep drive to support people in the community is what led him to paramedicine. 

Now four and a half years into his role as a paramedic for Wellington Free Ambulance, Sam says there’s no such thing as a typical day. You know where you start and where you finish but everything in between is unpredictable. 

“Once you’ve checked the vehicle, you’re straight out the door, and from there it’s kind of like a chess game. You can end up anywhere in the region.” 

Uncertainty is part of the job

Sam has learned to adapt to the unpredictable and stay calm under pressure. 

“You get used to that uncomfortable feeling,” he says. “You think on your feet, bounce ideas off your crew. We make things work, even in the toughest situations.” 

It’s not always the high-acuity cases that stick with you. Sometimes it’s the quiet, everyday moments that have the deepest impact. 

He recalls an elderly woman who had fallen at home. The situation was straightforward - help her up, check she was okay, but her gratitude took him by surprise. 

“She just broke down and thanked us repeatedly. It reminded me how something that might feel simple to us can mean everything to someone else.” 

Moments of life and death

On the other end of the spectrum are moments of true life and death. Early in his career, Sam responded to a cardiac arrest and helped save the man’s life. They’ve bumped into each other a few times since. 

“He always comes over for a chat. It’s a pretty special feeling to know you’ve made that kind of difference.” 

That sense of responsibility doesn’t switch off at the end of a shift. One day, while walking his dogs, Sam noticed a football player injured on the field. Without thinking, he jumped in to help until an ambulance arrived. 

“You just can’t ignore it,” he says. “Even off duty, you’re still a paramedic.” 

A world-changing role

Like many in the job, Sam admits the role changes how you see the world. It’s opened his eyes to vulnerability, ageing, and how quickly life can change. Sometimes, it can shift his perspective in ways that are hard to shake. 

“You start to see life differently. It can weigh on you at times but that’s when you talk to your crewmate, gain perspective, and remind yourself of the positives and the impact you’ve had in improving the lives of others.”

To stay grounded, Sam makes time for the things that help him reset - walking the dogs, hitting the gym and catching up with mates. 

Through it all, his focus remains firmly on his patients not just in the moment, but in the long run. Slowing things down, really listening, and doing what’s best for them. 

“The learning never stops,” he says. “Medicine keeps evolving, and so do we. We owe it to our patients to keep up and to keep growing.” 

Wearing the Wellington Free Ambulance uniform is something Sam does with real pride. 

“It means respect. For the role, for the people we serve, and for the colleagues beside you. You just want to do right by the ones who came before you, and by the values we stand for.” 

At the end of the day, it’s the small things that matter most. 

Sign up to fundraise for this year’s Onesie Appeal and help keep our essential community healthcare services from paramedics like Sam free of charge.