A new ambulance created especially for rural communities is being rolled out in Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula, to enhance St John’s emergency response times.
St John will launch a new Volkswagen First Response Unit in Tairua in November, as part of changes to its service delivery model, as the organisation rolls out the fourth and final year of its Double Crewing Project.
As well as providing better tools for the dedicated team of volunteers in Tairua, the change enables the double crewing of ambulances which support Tairua and other communities across the Coromandel Peninsula.
“Volunteers are the mainstay of our ambulance services in Tairua and St John is grateful to have a strong and dedicated team of volunteers who do fantastic job of serving the community,” says Mat Delaney, St John East Coromandel Territory Manager.
“The new unit will benefit both our volunteers and patients, as it will enable our crews to quickly locate patients, and has ample room for treating and stabilising patients, which ensures the best clinical care can be applied,” says Mr Delaney.
The new First Response Unit is smaller and nimbler than a traditional ambulance and is suited to narrow roads and difficult terrain on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Apart from having modern features, the new First Response Unit is designed for crews to transport patients locally or to meet a helicopter or transporting ambulance, which will shorten job cycles and enable crews to remain in the local community and be available to respond to emergencies more often. This will improve response times and lead to better health outcomes for patients.
St John is committed to supporting the development of its volunteers and ensuring they receive the necessary coaching and training needed to be successful in their roles.
With the rollout of the new vehicle in Tairua, more volunteers will be required to operate it. Residents in the area who are interested in volunteering can contact St John on
