Emergency vehicles get new life at St. John Ambulance

Halton Region has donated two decommissioned ambulances to the local branch of St. John Ambulance Canada.

The vehicles will be used by their volunteers who attend numerous events in the community to provide medical support for residents.

“On behalf of the Region, I am proud to donate these vehicles to St. John Ambulance Canada,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.

“This donation, which is supporting their medical responder program, represents a partnership that has spanned over 20 years, to help provide first aid services to residents attending community events.”

The vehicles typically complete their useful lifecycle for Paramedic Services after about five years of use, and between 225,000 and 275,000 kilometres travelled, the region said in a news release.

But they are still extremely valuable and able to meet the needs of community groups like St. John Ambulance, the region notes.

Halton Region has donated vehicles to St. John Ambulance since 2000, along with donations to charities in Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, South Sudan, Ukraine and First Nations Communities in Northwestern Ontario.

“We are grateful to have community partners like St. John Ambulance Canada who help provide essential first aid and medical assistance at community events across Halton,” said Greg Sage, chief/director of Halton Region Paramedic Services.

St. John Ambulance Canada is an international humanitarian organization that provides community service, first aid and CPR training. Each year, St. John Ambulance members volunteer hundreds of hours at community events.

“Having such wonderful community partners like Halton Region allows St. John Ambulance to expand our Medical First Responder program outreach into the Halton community,” said Tim Bauer, executive director of St. John Ambulance Halton-Hamilton Region.

He said Halton Region's donation of the vehicles in support of its program allows volunteer teams to provide first aid coverage at hundreds of community events every year in Halton. 

Meanwhile, community members can celebrate Halton’s paramedics at the upcoming Paramedic Day event on Saturday, May 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain or shine) at Woodlands Operations Centre (1179 Bronte Rd.).

To learn more about St. John Ambulance Canada, visit sja.ca.