Waimea Weekly
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Wednesday 8 May 2019
Local playwright gets call up Page 7
Page 16-17
New life saving vehicles Jonty Dine A trio of new ambulances is set to start saving lives across the region. The three vehicles were gifted to St John last week with one to be based at Richmond and one to each Motueka and Blenheim. Territory manager Robbie Blankstein says ambulances no longer simply act as transport to the hospital. “These are our offices - the days of working in a converted campervan are over.” The highly-equipped, lifesaving vehicles do not come cheap, however, with each ambulance costing $220,000. But the new additions were made possible thanks to donations from Pub Charity Limited in partnership with Northend Hotels, including Armadillos, owned by local busi-
nessman Tony Crosbie. Among the features is an automated Powerload Stryker Stretcher, which will reduce staff injuries and fatigue. “Our job is unplanned; we pick up multiple patients often multiple times per day,” Robbie says. He says the new stretcher will mean 70 fewer lifts per day for ambulance officers. “It is one of the many design benefits.” The three vehicles were dedicated at a ceremony last Friday. St John District operations manager for Tasman, James McMeekin, says the generous donation helps ensure local ambulance crews have the most up-todate vehicles and lifesaving equipment to treat patients. “No one knows when they will need an ambulance, but if and when the time
see page 2
Greenacres hosts national golf Page 23
Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthrone got ‘dunked’ last week as part of a competition for people to beat his water saving efforts during the drought. Photo: Matt McCrorie.
full sToRy page 5
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