Paramedic follows in her father’s AV footsteps
September 1, 2024News in
Inspired by her dad’s work and passion for helping people, Ashlee Wright followed in her father’s footsteps to work alongside him as an Ambulance Victoria (AV) paramedic.
This Father’s Day, AV is celebrating all the paramedic dads for their work and commitment to serving communities across Victoria.
![Two person are standing beside a helicopter inside a hangar.](https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fathers-Footsteps-01-800x400-1.jpg)
Ashlee visiting her dad Jon at work.
Jon Wright is a MICA Flight Paramedic based in Essendon while daughter Ashlee works as an Advanced Life Support Paramedic at Diamond Creek.
Ashlee, who has been a paramedic for more than a year, said she had wanted to pursue a career in health care and help people since she was six years old, thanks to her dad’s influence.
“Growing up with my dad as a paramedic, I always admired and looked up to him,” Ashlee said.
“It’s definitely inspired me to pursue paramedicine.”
![A child dressed up as a paramedic while holding on to a satchel bag.](https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fathers-Footsteps-03-800x400-1.jpg)
Ashlee dressed as a paramedic as a child.
Jon said recently working a shift alongside his daughter at Diamond Creek was a special opportunity.
“We are very close, so I appreciated having the chance to work a shift with Ashlee,” Jon said.
“I was very proud and impressed to see her do so well and how she cared for the patients we treated.”
While it was their first shift together as paramedics, it wasn’t the first time Ashlee and Jon worked together on an ambulance which happened when Ashlee was an Ambulance Community Officer (ACO).
ACOs are first responders employed by AV on a casual basis to provide advanced first aid and support paramedics in rural and remote communities.
“It’s always great to have the opportunity to work with Ashlee and see the fantastic work she does,” Jon said.
Ashlee said it was great having the chance to do the job she loves alongside one of the people she loves most – her dad.
![Two people standing in front of an ambulance parked in an open carport.](https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fathers-Footsteps-02-800x400-1.jpg)
MICA Flight Paramedic Jon Wright and Paramedic Ashlee Wright worked a shift together.