ACTAS Chief Officer Retires

After 51 years of service, we celebrate the retirement of ACT Ambulance Service Chief Officer, Howard Wren PSM ASM

For over five decades, ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) Chief Officer (CO) Howard Wren has dedicated his life to making positive and lasting change to ambulance care across the country. After a long and rewarding career, he has now decided to take his well-earned retirement.

Below gives you just a snippet into Howard’s time in the healthcare industry.

A highly regarded, trusted and respected professional, CO Wren represents what it means to build from the ground up. He began as an unpaid volunteer Ambulance Officer in 1974 and completed his career in 2025 as the ACTAS CO, providing over 50 years of continuous and unwavering dedication.

It is safe to say that a lot has changed in the ambulance industry since Howard’s first day on Monday 11 February 1974.

Freshly 18, an unrestricted drivers’ licence and completion of several first aid certificates were enough to start his first shift with a brief orientation at the Tumut ambulance station. With only this under his belt CO Wren attended a major motor vehicle incident and witnessed his first death all before lunchtime on his first day! This did not deter Howard; it confirmed for him how important the work was that paramedics completed. Little did CO Wren know that this was only a sneak peek into what was ahead of him in his career.

After graduating from general nursing training at the old Canberra Hospital, CO Wren held many diverse roles across NSW and ACT healthcare industries between 1978 and 2017 that enabled him to implement his passion for assisting people and teaching others along the way.

Howard joined ACTAS permanently in 1989, and held many leadership positions, including General Manager of Clinical Services and Manager of Education Services. These roles allowed CO Wren to help shape, inspire and influence many gifted paramedics serving the community today.

In 2017, Howard was appointed as ACTAS, Chief Officer and his experience and expertise have been instrumental in bringing positive improvements to the service.

CO Wren not only led ACTAS through the challenges of COVID-19 but also took on the role of Chair of the Council of Ambulance Authorities. This work allowed all ambulance authorities around Australia to remain consulted on COVID-19 practices and their workforce challenges.

Although CO Wren’s career has consisted of many highs, he experienced many challenging moments, right from day one.

CO Wren leaves behind considerable legacies for current, upcoming and future paramedics, including:

• Revolutionising education and training through the Intensive Care Paramedic Program; diversifying ambulance workforce’s skillset, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients who require the most critical, timely and specialised medical interventions while being treated and transported to hospital.
• Introducing a second defibrillation on every frontline ambulance.
• Effective pain relief available to patients. Patients in pain and discomfort are seen by most paramedics every day. Compared to 51 years ago, the pain relief options available are now truly remarkable.

In recognition of his outstanding work, CO Wren has been awarded the Public Service Medal, Ambulance Service Medal, National Medal, ACT Emergency Medal, and the ACT Long Service Medal.

After an outstanding career of 51 years, Chief Officer Howard Wren will retire leaving behind five decades of positive and lasting change to an industry that through his work, is undeniably better than when he started.

On behalf of all those at the ACT Emergency Services Agency, we would like to sincerely thank CO Wren for his service and wish him all the best in his retirement.