St John Ambulance deploys team to Highlands for elections

By LULU MAGINDE
ST John Ambulance chief executive officer (CEO) Matt Cannon says they will be deploying an ambulance special operations team (Asot) to support the police in the Highlands.
The team will compromise of a health extension officer, two registered nurses and three ambulance officers, supporting the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) airborne tactical unit in providing public safety and response to critical medical emergencies in the highlands.
He said Asot members will be deployed out from Kundiawa and Port Moresby stations.
With the support of the National Capital District Commission and Central, St John would remain on standby for emergencies, along with its ambulance stations in Morobe and Chimbu and East New Britain, supported by the national and provincial governments.
“We have six to seven ambulances in the National Capital District,” he said.
“The challenge is that many of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) ambulances are now five years old, as the vehicles age, they need a lot more maintenance.”
Cannon’s message to candidates and their supporters during the nomination and polling period was to ensure safety first at all times, adding that there should not be any consumption of alcohol while driving.
“The election period can see people taking more personal risks to help others,” he said.