Used ambulances find new life helping out at events in Oakville, Burlington, Milton

The Halton branch of St. John Ambulance received a pair of additions to its fleet for the benefit of residents of Oakville, Milton, Burlington and Halton Hills.

Halton Region donated two decommissioned ambulances to the organization which 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 more than 20 years, to help provide first aid services to residents attending community events.”

Paramedic Services vehicles typically complete their useful life cycle after about five years of use, and between 225,000 and 275,000 kilometres travelled. They are extremely valuable and able to operate at full capacity to meet the needs of community groups like St. John Ambulance.

Halton Region has donated vehicles to St. John Ambulance since 2000, along with donations to various charities for use 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.

“Our mandate at St. John Ambulance is ‘saving lives at home, work and play’. Halton Region’s generous donation of two vehicles in support of our program allows our volunteer teams to provide first aid coverage at hundreds of community events every year in Halton. Our sincerest thanks to the Halton Region for their continued support.”