State-of-the-art ambulance communications in Mid West thanks to Mitsui and Beach Energy

• St John WA Ambulance Communications Upgrade Initiative launched on May 4,
• The $117,000 initiative will roll out the latest 5G compatible smartphones and Wi-Fi technology to 18 ambulances in Geraldton and surrounding subcentres,
• St John responds to about 50,000 emergency ambulance calls a year in country areas.

A new Ambulance Communications Upgrade Initiative between St John WA with Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) and joint-venture partner Beach Energy launched during May.

The $117,000 initiative will roll out the latest 5G compatible smartphones and Wi-Fi technology to 18 ambulances in Geraldton and surrounding Mid West subcentres in preparation for Australia’s 5G network to expand regionally.

As a not-for-profit, SJWA relies on funding partners like MEPAU and Beach Energy to further build and strengthen its emergency service infrastructure for regional communities.

The Ambulance Communications Upgrade Initiative will ensure future-proofed state-of-the-art cellular telecommunication connections, ranging from 3G to 5G, in the Mid West.

St John WA responds to about 50,000 emergency ambulance calls a year in country areas and relies on stable telecommunication network activity across cellular, satellite and radio channels when called to some of the most remote parts of the state in an emergency..

MEPAU Managing Director and CEO Ken Yamamura said he was pleased to support St John volunteers and paramedics to provide the best possible out-of-hospital care to the Mid West.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to improve lifesaving emergency services for the Mid West community,” Mr Yamamura said.

“Health and safety are close to our heart at MEPAU. Continuously improving our health and safety systems is a crucial part of our day-to-day operations and keeps our people safe at work.

“We believe that strong safety systems deliver lifesaving outcomes and that’s why we’re partnering with St John WA – an effective ambulance service with a reliable communications system that will improve the health, safety, and wellbeing of the Mid West community.”

St John WA Group CEO Kevin Brown too welcomed the partnership, saying MEPAU funding not only provided the Mid West with modern ambulance telecommunications but allowed St John WA to redirect savings to other regional communities in need of upgrades.

“St John WA’s regional ambulance operations benefit as whole, which is part of our state-wide commitment to closing the gap in health in rural and remote areas,” Mr Brown said.

“We are already in the process of rolling out 5G Samsung X5 mobile phones to every country subcentre, with 5G Wi-Fi planned in the future.”

Mitsui E&P Australia (MEPAU) is a WA-based energy provider and the operator of the Waitsia Gas Field, with three gas-producing facilities in the Mid West. MEPAU and its Waitsia joint venture partner Beach Energy are committed to delivering benefits for the communities where they operate, including community partnerships.

St John has 160 locations across regional Western Australia, which includes 140 volunteer response locations and 20 sub centres with a mix of volunteer ambulance officers and career paramedics who work side-by-side.

To learn more about partnering with St John visit the website – https://giving.stjohnwa.com.au/corporates