Doing some work at Wanganui's St John Centre in Gonville has triggered a sea change in Glen Weck's career.
After about eight years as a chippie Mr Weck, 37, is studying to become a full-time St John ambulance driver.
He said he was doing some building work at the Tawa St centrewhen the staff there suggested he give volunteer driving for the service a go.
"I got to know the personnel reasonably well while working there. They've all got different life skills and have come a variety of backgrounds," he said. "They said why didn't I come along for an observer shift and see how you go. After that first night I was hooked," Mr Weck said.
"You need to have the right aptitude and outlook and you need to have a bit of empathy with people. You see people at their worst too."
But he said it was not all about "flashing lights and sirens". The work involved patient transfer, building a good rapport with people and making them feel comfortable. Mr Weck is half-way through getting his national ambulance qualification.
"It involves a lot of study, a lot of it online, as well as going through to St John regional headquarters in Palmerston North," he said.
He's already behind the wheel of an ambulance, driving once a week on a voluntary basis. "I work on a Friday night doing a 13-hour shift. Once I get that qualification it means I can get a full-time job with St John in the future."
Mr Weck said starting off as a volunteer "was a way to get your foot in the door" and then the national diploma followed on from that.
"If you're competent enough you go for an interview and it goes on from there. But with those qualifications (as an emergency medical technician or EMT) I could apply for a job with St John anywhere in the country."
"I thoroughly enjoy it and recommend that anyone interested ought to have a go at it. If you want to change your lifestyle, you should get into it. It's fantastic," he said.
This week is Flash a Light for St John Awareness week when the agency has its annual appeal.
