Hato Hone St John is holding a community call-up on Saturday to recruit community members to train as volunteers ambulance attendees, caring callers, youth leaders and be on the Wānaka area committee.
Brendon Potter has been on the committee and a volunteer for 12 months. He said the service was vital, given there were only two ambulance staff rostered on in Wānaka at any one time.
"Wānaka has a fantastic front line and professional staff, but when they are on a call transferring patients, we need volunteers to be first responders, trained to man the ambulance and connect a call while the professional staff are away.
"They can be out for three hours when the ambulance is out of town, helping to fill that spot."
A degree of training would take place and volunteers would be well-supported by St John.
"It is the community helping the community, members are stepping up to fill the need."
Mr Potter said people should not be put off volunteering because the service would adapt to volunteer’s work schedules.
"People should not be put off because of their age and work obligations, we can fit volunteers with their timetable."
St John offers a "caring callers" service nationwide, Mr Potter’s team are setting up a local branch as they recognise the need for some individuals in the community, such as the elderly living alone.
"We just ring up people who are in the community who are a bit lonely. We come across people who are not as connected with the community as we would like."
Those who volunteer for this service would be partnered up with an individual and can call as often as one to four times a week, whatever the need.
The community call-up will take place from 10am-1pm on Saturday at St John Otago on 4 Links Way 10am-1pm.
Email: wanaka@stjohn.org.nz
