Central Otago Welcomes Arrival of Critical New Frontline Ambulance

Funding Stories

The Otago Community Trust was recently invited to attend the Donor and Dedication event for Hato Hone St John in Alexandra, where the community celebrated the arrival of a brand new frontline emergency ambulance.

The new ambulance replaces an older model that had been stationed in Alexandra for the past 2 years. Ambulances are continually adapted to suit New Zealand conditions, increase efficiency and improve patient care. This state-of-the-art new vehicle will allow the St John teams to deliver the highest quality, patient-focused emergency care to the people of Alexandra and the surrounding region.

The Alexandra Ambulance Station operates 24/7, with 8 fulltime staff and 12 dedicated volunteers. The new vehicle will serve a vast 22-area response zone, including Alexandra, Cromwell, Wānaka, Dunedin and Roxburgh. Over the past 2 years, the old ambulance responded to 1,965 incidents, with over 32% being life-threatening or time-critical.

The Otago Community Trust is proud to have supported this important upgrade which provides critical support to people in the community who are often at their most vulnerable.