HHStJ Major Incident Support Team (MIST)
The Major Incident Support Team (MIST) is a dedicated group of non-clinical volunteers who provide essential support to Hato Hone St John Ambulance Operations during major incidents and large-scale events. With 23 teams located across the motu, MIST is activated when demand exceeds normal operational capacity, such as during mass casualty incidents or significant public events. These volunteers are trained to deploy rapidly, typically within 30 minutes of activation and work alongside ambulance crews to manage logistics, communications and welfare, allowing clinical teams to focus on patient care.
MIST operate a fleet of specialised vehicles tailored to support Ambulance Operations and Event Health Services in the field. These include incident support vehicles (ISV’s) equipped with triage and treatment resources, command units for managing communications and welfare vehicles that offer catering, meeting and rest facilities for staff. Each vehicle is designed to enhance mobility and provide essential infrastructure, ensuring that both emergency responses and public events are well-supported from start to finish.
MIST are equipped with a wide range of tools and resources, including tents, generators, stretchers, scene lighting, gazebos and medical supplies. They help establish triage and treatment areas, manage scene safety, support staff and public welfare and provide vital infrastructure during high-pressure situations. Whether responding to emergencies or supporting planned events, MIST plays a behind-the-scenes but crucial role in ensuring that ambulance services can continue to operate efficiently and effectively, especially