St John’s ambulance services are currently working in tandem with the National Crisis Management Centre, including Civil Defence, Government and emergency and health agencies after this morning’s 7.5 earthquake and multiple aftershocks.
St John’s focus remains Kaikoura and surrounding areas. St John has two fully crewed ambulances operating in Kaikoura, despite earthquake damage to the Kaikoura Ambulance Station.
Additional paramedics and other ambulance officers have been transported into the area by helicopter this morning, and are supporting the permanent St John personnel and PRIME (Primary Response in Medical Emergencies) doctors.
St John’s staff are also working with other emergency and health agencies to ensure patients and vulnerable people in Kaikoura are supported. They are also working closely with the air sector on the coordination of air ambulances, due to limited road access.
St John operations are now operating normally in Nelson/Marlborough, Christchurch and the wider Canterbury districts. The number of emergency ambulance incidents in Canterbury and Tasman areas this morning was higher than usual.
The volume of 111 calls remains manageable however St John asks the public to assist us by keeping the 111 service for emergencies and following local Civil Defence instructions.
St John advises people to have their phones, medicines and emergency kits with them and to keep in contact with family and friends. Please refer to Civil Defence website http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/ and Civil Defence in your region for local instructions.