Organisational Performance

We continue to renew progress against an agreed strategy and plan, prioritise and maximise our available resources to secure sustainable levels of funding and deliver critical infrastructure projects.

Wellington Free Ambulance continues to play an important role in the Public Safety Network – a government investment in next generation critical communications for all emergency services. This vital piece of infrastructure will result in reliable, resilient, and secure communications coverage for ambulance vehicles and better coverage for our rural areas. Ultimately, it will be a future-proofed system that meets the needs of frontline emergency services and results in better outcomes for patients and their whānau. To support the work occurring in this space, we set out on improving our technological landscape, which included the introduction of new enhanced tablets in our ambulances and personal issued mobile devices to all our crews on the road. As the Public Safety Network progresses, increasing connectivity across our organisation and allowing access to more information remains a key focus. It helps improve our response, and keeps our people, volunteers and patients safer.

Providing the highest quality emergency care requires continuous advancements in specialty equipment and smart technology. Arguably our most important piece of equipment is a defibrillator – a key piece of equipment for saving lives. Here at Wellington Free Ambulance, we continue to seek innovative ways to save time and more lives, and recently added state-of-the art Corpuls defibrillators to our paramedic toolbox. The smaller, lightweight Corpuls3 has transformed our ability to help patients in challenging environments, as well as share real-time data with other medical professionals for more effective care. The new Corpuls3Touch monitoring defibrillator is a device that closely monitors the cardiac activity and if necessary, restores a normal heartbeat by sending an electric pulse or shock to the heart. It uses innovative, wireless and touch screen technology that sends information in real time to paramedics and specialist hospital staff.

A highlight for the end of 2021 was the opening of the new ambulance station in Greytown based out of Five Rivers Medical Centre.

Our Greytown station is a purpose-built clinical centre and a one-of-a-kind building for the people in South Wairarapa. Our teams are fully equipped to respond to emergency calls, with rapid exit automatic doors and space for three ambulance vehicles.

Located on Chapel Street, in the centre of Masterton, our interim station for Masterton was officially opened with a blessing that has been used by local iwi for over 700 years. This signalled a fresh start and a future-focused journey ahead as we continue our search in finding a permanent home for our Masterton-based team, as well as develop a wider property strategy for Wellington Free Ambulance. It is important that all our facilities are fit-forpurpose, that they meet the needs of our people and teams and are reflective of a vital regional and national service that protects our nation’s capital, the greater Wellington region, and beyond in Wairarapa.

Corpuls3 Features: + Integrates with current technology reducing admin time after attending to a patient + Detachable pockets for leads, blood pressure cuffs, defibrillator pads + High Quality printer + The monitor and defibrillator detach so multiple paramedics can work on a patient at the same time + Large colour touch screen display + Sends information in real-time to clinical paramedic advisors and hospital staff.