New ambulances to be rolled out soon, thanks to generous Kiwis

Murray Holt says St John responds to 1200 calls for help daily. Photo / Michael Craig

Twelve new ambulances will soon hit our roads, thanks to the generosity of Kiwis.

The St John annual appeal has raised more than $2 million for the vehicles.

The bumper donations mean a dozen state-of-the art new ambos will be deployed around New Zealand this year.

"The new ambulances will save lives and reduce harm to many sick and injured patients," Murray Holt, St John's head of operational support, said. "We are humbled by the generosity of the public."

Every day St John responds to 1,200 calls for help - almost one call every minute.

Last year the service cared for 425,000 patients and its 696 ambulances and other operational vehicles travelled a combined 19.3 million kilometres.

The new models cost about $200,000 each to buy and equip.

"They have more space inside, are better configured and have modern defibrillators and other high-tech medical equipment," Holt said.

Basic chassis are imported from Mercedes-Benz in Germany in batches of three and it takes about two months to fully equip them at workshops in Hamilton.

The ambulances will be deployed in equal numbers between the Northern and Central regions and the South Island.

St John replaces about 35 ambulances a year out of a national fleet of 700. A front line ambulance's life span is approximately eight years or 440,000km.

"We expect to need more vehicles on the road in the next two years than we have at present," added Holt, "and ongoing fundraising efforts from the public are never taken for granted."