Michael Dunstan
Summary
Operations manager with experience leading frontline ambulance operations and providing district-wide operational support. Manages personnel, fleet, equipment, facilities, and logistics to maintain service readiness and continuity. Applies operational planning, resource coordination, and performance management with compliance risk management and continuous improvement.
Overview
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Watch Operations Manager – Operations Support
Hato Hone St John
Auckland, NZ
05.2025 - Current
- Ensured frontline ambulance resources, facilities, and operational assets remained ready for service delivery.
- Supported compliance, governance, and operational assurance activities, helping improve processes and reduce organizational risk.
- Facilitated business continuity and contingency planning to sustain service capability during disruption.
- Coordinated fleet logistics, asset movement, and resource allocation across geographically dispersed stations.
- Drafted operational procedures, guidance documents, and standard operating processes.
- Worked with national teams to support organizational initiatives and improve operational performance.
- Mentored watch operations managers and frontline leaders.
- Reported to District Operations Support Manager, leading operational readiness across one of New Zealand's largest ambulance districts and supporting frontline service continuity.
- Directed district-wide readiness across ambulance resources, facilities, equipment governance, and operational assets.
- Oversaw compliance, governance, and operational assurance portfolios, driving continuous improvement and reducing organizational risk.
- Developed business continuity and contingency plans to maintain operational capability during disruption.
- Advised district leadership team members on operational priorities and service delivery requirements.
- Managed logistics, fleet coordination, and asset allocation across geographically dispersed stations.
- Prepared operational procedures, guidance documents, and standard operating processes to support consistent practice.
- Partnered with national teams to implement organizational initiatives and strengthen operational performance.
- Coached watch operations managers and frontline leaders to build capability and support service delivery.
- Frontline ambulance resources, facilities, equipment, and operational assets stayed ready for service delivery.
- Compliance, governance, and operational assurance activities improved process control and reduced organizational risk.
- Business continuity and contingency planning maintained operational capability during disruption.
- Strategic advice and operational support informed district leadership team decisions.
- Optimized fleet logistics and asset allocation to ensure effective coordination of services across various geographical locations.
- Operational procedures, guidance documents, and standard operating processes strengthened consistency across district activity.
- Organizational initiatives progressed through collaboration with national teams and district stakeholders.
- Watch operations managers and frontline leaders received mentoring and support to sustain operational performance.
Watch Operations Manager
Hato Hone St John
Auckland, NZ
05.2023 - Current
- Reporting to area operations manager and providing operational support, line management, and day-to-day guidance for paid frontline staff, volunteers, casual staff, and relief staff across district emergency ambulance services.
- Lead, manage, and support frontline ambulance personnel in high-pressure operational settings.
- Delivered clinical backup and first-response support during critical situations, prioritizing staff leadership and operational management.
- Assist with coordination during emergency incidents, peak demand periods, and major events.
- Contributed to the delivery of safe, effective, and responsive emergency ambulance services across the district.
- Monitored operational activity and identified emerging risks to facilitate continuous service improvements.
- Promote compliance with organisational policy, clinical procedures, health and safety requirements, and professional standards.
- Carry out performance discussions, coaching, mentoring, and development planning to strengthen capability and accountability.
Senior Fire Fighter
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Auckland, NZ
03.2014 - Current
- Executed operational firefighting across structural, vegetation, vehicle, and rescue incidents, ensuring emergency response readiness and enhancing community resilience.
- Contributed to high-risk emergency responses through risk assessments and effective incident command practices.
- Facilitated crew leadership by collaborating on strategic plans and operational tasks. and community risk reduction activities.
- Maintained operational readiness through training, equipment care, and capability development.
- Worked with police, ambulance, and civil defence teams in joint emergency operations.
Platoon Staff Sergeant / Supervisor Aerial Delivery
New Zealand Defence Force
Auckland, NZ
05.2015 - 04.2023
- Led personnel management, logistics, operational planning, and humanitarian response as a senior military leader.
- Guided and developed teams of over 30 personnel, enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Planned and carried out complex logistics and operational support activities.
- Coordinated logistics and support operations for Operation Pacific Relief and Operation Antarctica.
- Delivered humanitarian assistance and disaster relief across Pacific region.
- Managed safety training and operational readiness to ensure personnel welfare and compliance.
- Directed training, onboarding, and mentoring for junior team members.
- Managed incident response and escalated issues through Defence channels.
- Liaised with commanders and units to support mission requirements.
Air Dispatcher / Crew Commander
Australian Defence Force
Sydney, Australia
04.2005 - 03.2014
- Executed aerial delivery operations for military and humanitarian missions, ensuring timely and effective support.
- Coordinated dispatch operations across Australian Defence Force units and locations, ensuring compliance with Defence procedures for secure communication and response.
- Built experience in remote aviation logistics and leadership across domestic and international deployments.
- Fostered team collaboration in challenging, high-risk environments to achieve mission objectives.
- Developed planning, logistics, and operational leadership skills.
- Supported deployments across Operation PNG Assist, Operation Astute, Operation Catalyst / Slipper, Operation Resolute.
Education
New Zealand Diploma in Ambulance Practice (Level 5) - Emergency Ambulance Services
Hato Hone St John
Auckland10-2025
Senior Firefighter - Fire Fighting / Emergency Response
Fire And Emergency New Zealand
08-2025
Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) - Level 4
Fire Rescue First Response LTD
Auckland09-2023
National Certificate in Security - Level III, Level II
The Skills Organisation
03-2016
Skills
- Emergency management
- Crisis management
- Risk assessment
- Operational planning
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Stakeholder communication
- Multi-agency coordination
- Business continuity
- Incident command
- Emergency response coordination
- Operational readiness training
- Continuous improvement
Certification
- Advanced Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS Level 4)
- Senior Firefighter – Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
- National Certificate in Security (Level III), The Skills Organisation
- National Certificate in Security (Level II), The Skills Organisation
- Full, Class 5 (HC) clean driver’s licence
Selected Deployments
- Operation PNG Assist – Flood Response, Dec 2006
- Operation Astute – Timor-Leste, Timor-Leste, Mar - Apr 2007
- Operation Catalyst / Slipper – Iraq & Afghanistan, Aug 2008 - Mar 2009
- Operation Resolute – Nauru Border Protection, Nauru, Aug - Sep 2012
- Operation Pacific Relief (Fiji) – Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief, Fiji, Feb - Mar 2016
- Operation Antarctica – NZ Antarctic Research Programme Support, Antarctica 2017, 2018, 2019
Timeline
Watch Operations Manager – Operations Support
Hato Hone St John
05.2025 - Current
Watch Operations Manager
Hato Hone St John
05.2023 - Current
Platoon Staff Sergeant / Supervisor Aerial Delivery
New Zealand Defence Force
05.2015 - 04.2023
Senior Fire Fighter
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
03.2014 - Current
Air Dispatcher / Crew Commander
Australian Defence Force
04.2005 - 03.2014
New Zealand Diploma in Ambulance Practice (Level 5) - Emergency Ambulance Services
Hato Hone St John
Senior Firefighter - Fire Fighting / Emergency Response
Fire And Emergency New Zealand
Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) - Level 4
Fire Rescue First Response LTD
National Certificate in Security - Level III, Level II
The Skills Organisation