Nathan Halbert wins St John WA’s Dispatcher of the Year award

Nathan Halbert has been named St John WA’s Dispatcher of the Year just two years since making the leap from the construction industry to the adrenaline-pumping Triple Zero (000) call centre. 

It takes a special kind of person to be the calm and compassionate voice on the other end of an emergency call and Nathan has proven to be a natural.  

Not only was Nathan named SJWA’s Dispatcher of the Year, but he was also nominated for the prestigious Australasia Navigator Dispatcher of the Year award.  

This annual award from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch recognises emergency dispatchers who exemplify excellence, and Nathan’s nomination reflects his exceptional contributions to the SJWA team. 

Nathan started with SJWA nearly two years ago after transitioning from a long career in construction. 

The Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) has since earned praise for his quick learning, constructive response to feedback and commitment to continuous improvement.  

Speaking to Russell Collett on 6PR’s Perth Live this week, Nathan said his training and the support provided by his colleagues had been the key to his strong start in the role.

“By the time you are independent and taking calls, you have got all the nerves out of the way,” he said.  

“You always have a high level of support in the room and your colleagues always have your back, so it has been pretty smooth sailing since the end of training.” 

Nathan said the State Operations Centre team was ready to deal with any emergency. 

“We stay on the line and provide comfort and support and try and keep everyone as calm as we can and doing what needs to be done until the ambulance gets there,” he said. 

“We are pretty successful with our response times; so it is about maintaining that level of support for the patient or caller until they get that help.” 

SJWA State Control Centre and Operations Manager Debbi Strachan said Nathan’s ability to provide exceptional customer service and build rapport with both callers and colleagues stood out, especially in high-pressure situations.   

“Nathan has a remarkable ability to handle emergency calls with a conversational style that feels personal rather than scripted, effortlessly managing intense situations while deeply understanding the needs of each caller,” she said. 

“It’s truly impressive to witness how he connects with callers, offering both comfort and clear guidance while maintaining professional standards and adhering to established protocols.” 

The Australasia Navigator Dispatcher of the Year winner will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on November 18.