She said the service was a small team, made up of Steve Thomson, Marilyn Forrest, Orlando MacDonald, Lou Bird, Rebecca Winikerei, Jacqui Gordon and Jimmy Lovie.
They could always be relied on to provide a local face and comfort in a vulnerable time in someone’s life.
“When these volunteer jobs come through, we are with the patient anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on where our responding truck is coming from.
“We are able to comfort them and treat them with our basic skill level. That 40-minute to 90-minute wait until the town truck arrives is important.”
Nicholas said the team members each had different skills, from those with basic first-responder training through to paid jobs with St John.
“Our mantra is to get to every job we are called to.”
The interaction with the community meant the service was “locals supporting locals.”
“It’s really important because we are part of the community. People are familiar with us, so there is that familiarity of someone that is coming into your personal space when you are at your most vulnerable.”
There was also the bonus of knowing the area and roads well, which could shorten travel and response times in an emergency.
“Knowing the roads is important ... we might know a shortcut to that house, or we might know the road isn’t that great.”
The service covers the area from Pōrangahau to Herbertville, inland to Norsewood and to Wanstead and Blackhead.
Nicholas said callouts varied from big crashes to cardiac arrests, someone with chest pains or fractured bones.
Area operations manager Jimmy Lovie said he was proud of the team for the work, and they were very deserving of the People’s Choice award.
“Our dedicated Pōrangahau volunteers provide 24/7 coverage to their community and surrounds, providing care to the injured and unwell whilst awaiting a road ambulance from Waipukurau or helicopter.
“The team of seven hold fulltime jobs and have family responsibilities, but still drop everything to help those in need.”
Michaela Gower joined Hawke’s Bay Today in 2023 and is based out of the Hastings newsroom. She covers Dannevirke and Hawke’s Bay news and loves sharing stories about farming and rural communities.
