![Kirsty Mann Kirsty Mann](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_square_small/public/files/user177/q-stohn1-jun12__Medium_.jpg?itok=G2XnwgwC)
St John Ambulance officer Kirsty Mann, of Queenstown, said the Emergency Services Ball - being held for the first time since 2004 - would include representatives from the New Zealand Police, St John Ambulance, New Zealand Fire Service, Search and Rescue, Coastguard Queenstown, hospital staff, medical centre staff and helicopter companies.
However, the evening was also open to the public, Miss Mann said.
"It will be a fantastic night for the people that are involved in the services . . . a lot of the time when you go out on multiservice calls, you know the faces and names, but it's an opportunity to get to know the people you work with and to acknowledge the work that's been done over a pretty busy winter.
"It's just an opportunity to get dressed up and do something different."
Miss Mann said she and fellow ambulance officer Chris Marr had been working on the ball since April and hoped the wider Queenstown community would show their support for the district's emergency services staff by buying a ticket and coming along.
Miss Mann decided to make it her "project for the year", having come from an event management and wedding planning background.
"I think these events always need someone to take ownership of them.
"Obviously, there's a lot of work that's involved [but] we've had fantastic support from the community, with the business community donating raffle prizes. We have about 70 prizes at the moment, which is fantastic."
Miss Mann said the level of support showed how much the emergency services were appreciated.
A licensed bar would be run by the Queenstown Ice Hockey Club during the evening, she said.
• Tickets, which cost $65, are available from the St John Ambulance Station in Frankton and at the Memorial Hall on the night. The ticket price includes a champagne reception, a buffet supper provided by Country Manor Catering, entertainment from local band Groova and an entry into the raffle.