Hato Hone St John has boosted its emergency response capabilities in the Manawatū region, with the official roll out of a new Major Incident Support Team (MIST) vehicle, marked by a dedication ceremony on Tuesday 12 March 2024.
Fay Jewell, 93, handed over the keys at her Feilding home on Tuesday after donating the specially designed ambulance to Hato Hone St John.
The Mercedes-Benz MIST vehicle provides staff with the capability of treating up to 50 patients. It contains vital equipment in bulk quantities, stretchers, an inflatable rescue shelter, generator, scene lighting, and vital communications equipment. It will be used by the Hato Hone St John Event Health Services teams at both civil emergencies and large social events in the wider Manawatū.
Ms. Jewell, who has no siblings and had never married, gifted the vehicle through a trust set up many years ago to manage her finances. Many of her friends were present at the vehicle dedication ceremony, and they expressed their delight at being able to witness her dream of donating to St John come true.
“Thank you to everyone who attended; it was such a special and memorable day for Fay, who we all care about so much,” said one friend.
The ceremony was organised in conjunction with Hato Hone St John’s donor care team, and was also attended by members of the region’s emergency ambulance service.
Gareth Collings, Hato Hone St John Area Operations Manager for Central South says he is blown away by Ms Jewell’s generosity, and that there’s always space for new volunteers to work on the existing MIST team to help buils community resilience.
“We’re delighted to have another MIST vehicle to add to the area. Ms. Jewell’s selflessness, kindness and support of her local community is testament to her character. We can’t thank her enough.
“If you’re interested in being part of the area’s major incident support team, then we’d love to have you. We’re looking for people who are driven to help others, positive, practical, calm under pressure and adaptive to change. You’ll get so much out of the experience and will learn skills that you can use for life. Volunteers will receive full training - including risk management and driver training, MIST specific training, and an internationally recognised qualification. Applicants do not need to have clinical experience.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND IMAGES CONTACT:
Hato Hone St John media team
PH: 0800 756 334 | E: media@stjohn.org.nz
ABOUT HATO HONE ST JOHN
- Hato Hone St John provides emergency ambulance services to 90 percent of New Zealanders and covers 97 percent of the country’s geographical area.
- Hato Hone St John is made up of a mix of full-time paid employees and volunteer staff.
- Along with the emergency ambulance service, Hato Hone St John provides a significant number of community health programmes and initiatives which help build community resilience. They include Health Shuttles, Caring Caller, Friends of the Emergency Department, St John Youth, St John in Schools, and Therapy Pets.
- Hato Hone St John also delivers event health services, medical alarm services, first aid training and operates retail stores across the country.