In 2023, I spent six months as an ambulance call-taker with Triple Zero Victoria, previously known as the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority. My curiosity about the role led me to discover that both compassionate and harsh responses can greatly impact how individuals cope with traumatic situations.
While I expected the job to provide profound insights and a deeper sense of purpose, the lessons were largely practical—identifying critical symptoms and knowing how to respond in emergencies. This experience reshaped my approach to personal health anxieties, allowing me to reassure myself that “it’s not an emergency” when I follow my training protocols.
However, constant exposure to human suffering hardened my outlook, challenging my progressive ideals. New recruits are thrust into high-pressure situations without respite, and I felt the strain acutely, often overwhelmed by the emotional toll the job exacted. Despite the exhaustion from a role characterised by rapid-fire calls, I found moments of satisfaction when guiding callers through crises.
Ultimately, I chose to leave not due to a single traumatic incident, but because of unsustainable work conditions, such as poor pay and excessive hours. Reflecting on my time at Triple Zero, I’m grateful for the hardworking individuals at the frontlines, especially during the pandemic, and I carry a newfound appreciation for their resilience amidst the chaos.