Graduate paramedic proud to don AV uniform

Graduate ambulance paramedic Brooklyn Ash’s drive to become an Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedic didn’t come from the fast-paced world of lights and sirens, but rather from witnessing paramedics in action.

When she was 15 years old, Brooklyn and her mother were driving home along a dark freeway after a basketball game when they were involved in a traumatic road incident.

Although both escaped unharmed, Brooklyn witnessed a severely injured patient and immediately called Triple Zero (000). Within moments, paramedics arrived on scene.

Amid the whirlwind of the emergency response, what struck Brooklyn the most was the professionalism and care shown by the attending paramedics.

In that moment, without realising it, their actions reshaped Brooklyn’s goals for the future.

“While watching the paramedics load a patient into the ambulance, I remember realising just how vulnerable we all are,” she said.

“It was powerful to watch such a skilled, coordinated multi-agency emergency response.

“I never wanted to be in a situation like that again and not know how to help. In that moment, I knew I wanted to be like those paramedics.”

After finishing school, Brooklyn studied a Bachelor of Nursing and worked as an anaesthetic nurse for four years to help build her clinical knowledge and people skills.

However paramedicine was still her goal and after completing more study, Brooklyn put on her AV uniform for the first time three months ago.

“I am thankful for my time as a nurse because it taught me composure when seconds matter and deepened my respect for all medical teams,” she said.

“I love this job. I wear this uniform with such pride and feel like I contribute towards keeping my community safe.”

There are many aspects of being a paramedic that appeal to Brooklyn, but her favourite part comes from the small moments shared with patients.

“I really enjoy the small human moments that come from all jobs, like a neighbour who stays to translate or someone saying thank you at 3am because we were there when they needed us,” she said.

Currently based at Laverton, Brooklyn is part of the Medium Acuity Transport Service (MATS) team.

Her current goal is to maximise her learning and build her confidence in the field, but long-term she has her sights set on becoming a Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic.

“I want to work towards becoming the clinician you want with you when things aren’t okay,” she said.

“I love the idea of not knowing what the future holds and I can’t wait to see what AV role I have in 10 years.”