CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE

Evening Star, Issue 22938, 21 April 1938, Page 10

CITY AMBULANCE SERVICE

STATION WITHOUT VEHICLES TAXI MEN A 8 DRIVERS J■ , ■ -v There is the most modern ambulanc# station in. the Dominion in this city, but there are no ambulances attached, to it. There are modern and comfortable living. quarters provided for the two drivers, but they do not; occupy them. This''Gilbertian situation has been in force since' the new headquarters in Fitlenl street of the St. John Ambulance Association were opened in the past three weeks. The headquarters -of the two ambulances are taxi depots in Stafford street and George street respectively, and when the ambulance is summoned by telephone it is either of these two depots from which they depart, and not from the central -station that Mr Samuel Saltzman munificently gave to the association. Further, the drivers are taximen, who possess the requisite qualifications for rendering first aid to the injured they convey to the .Hospital. The taxi firm, besides providing the drivers for the ambulances, also houses the vehicles-and carries out-all maintenance work. The four new garages at the station are empty. It is suggested that through mis ar-, rahgement the ambulance service cannot function with the split-second efficiency that such a service demands, there being a lack of vital c°-ordina-tion between the station, m_ Filleuistreet and the two depots. This arrangement is understood to be due to the slender finances of the association, which expects to save £3OO by operating in this manner. Ifsoit is a reproach to the general public, in the interests of which it works.