St John Ambulance in Kelmscott opens its doors

The new $3.5m St John Ambulance WA depot and first aid training facility will officially open in Kelmscott today.

The facility is located at 3 Turner Place and will deliver first aid training and integrate ambulance services from the Armadale and Gosnells depots.

St John Ambulance General Manager Metro Operations James Sherriff said the ambulance service had delivered quality care to the Armadale community for many years and the aging of the Armadale and Gosnells depot buildings prompted the project.

“The fact the existing buildings were aged and no longer suitable, alongside with the projected growth of the area had created a need for the new larger facility in a more central location, which was identified as Kelmscott,” said Mr Sherriff.

“This larger, modern facility will provide us with the ideal stage to expand and evolve our services for the Armadale, Kelmscott, Gosnells and surrounding suburbs.”

“The expanded first aid training facilities will help ensure we continue to promote our goal to make first aid a part of every Western Australian’s life.”

Earthworks for the Kelmscott depot started in April 2016, and practical completion of the building was achieved in December 2016. First aid training sessions commenced on 1 March and ambulance crews started operating out of the new depot on 12 March.

The two-storey building consists of an eight ambulance garage, two large first aid training rooms, a student lunch room, as well as an administration office area.

The project will contribute to the continued operation of a 24/7 ambulance service in Armadale and provide additional facilities for the increase in demand for first aid training.