In honour of the special day, we’ve talked to Dispatcher Ryan who joined Team NWAS two weeks after his dad, Ian in May 2020. They joined as 999 call handlers, and both have progressed into other roles within the service.

Ian is on secondment as a trainer now training staff within our Emergency Operations Centres. Ryan has progressed to become a dispatcher which involves coordinating and allocating ambulance staff and emergency ambulances to make sure the most critical patients get the most appropriate response.

Ryan tells us about his journey as part of the green family with his dad who has been with him every step of the way.

Hi Ryan, can you tell us why you joined us?

The ambulance service and those who work in the service have always been something I’ve had huge admiration for and was something I wanted to be a part of. Being able to make a difference in people’s lives daily is rewarding and no two days are ever the same – you never know what you’ll be faced with when you walk in to start your shift.

“It was my dad that sent me application forms to join the service and just over two years down the line we’re both still here making our own stories to tell. 

What is it like working in the same service as your dad?

I’m sure he won’t mind me saying we’re both incredibly competitive and I’m sure there’s been an element of that shown on both our parts in terms of the progress we have made, always pushing and wanting to get the best out of each other is something we do well.

Working so closely with my dad has never been an issue for me and I’m sure he’d say the same, I always looked forward to coming on shift in the morning and having a seat next to my dad for the day ahead. I remember a time when I was taking 999 calls and had just taken a child CPR call as my first of the day. I managed to continue through my day until around lunch time and then the reality of what I had done had set in and the first one there for support was my dad. 

Why is your dad an inspiration to you?

Seeing my dad progressing through the service, not only makes me proud but also brings inspiration and a drive to achieve more for myself here. Since he started around the same time as me, he has gone from strength to strength and with any setbacks he has faced he’s come back stronger from it. This makes me want to do the same and keep progressing in my own career here, he really has shown me no matter what comes your way you can overcome it and keep moving forwards. 

What special message would you like to give your dad this Father’s Day?

Happy Father’s Day dad! Keep on inspiring and doing you! Have a good one!