St John MIST vehicle ‘a pretty cool piece of kit’

Among those to attend the dedication of the St John Hato Hone MIST vehicle were (from left) long-time St John identity Hughie Hughes, Grassroots Trust Central chair Sean Hannan, St John Central region board member Tony Ludlow and Rev John Pomana, who dedicated the vehicle. Picture by Paul Rickard

A new Major Incident Support Team (MIST) vehicle for St John in Tairāwhiti was dedicated on Friday at the St John base in Bright Street.

The Mercedes-Benz vehicle contains vital equipment in bulk quantities, stretchers, an inflatable rescue shelter, generator and scene lighting.

“It also carries vital communications equipment to provide critical operational support to front-line ambulance staff during such things as major weather events,” a St John spokesman said.

“The MIST vehicle will also be used by the Hato Hone St John event health services teams at civil emergencies and large social events like concerts, festivals and sporting events.

“It’s a pretty cool piece of kit.”

The vehicle, which was funded through Grassroots Trust Central, will be crewed by volunteers.