CHRISTCHURCH FREE AMBULANCE INC.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 62, 14 March 1931, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH FREE AMBULANCE INC.

The society known as the Christchurch Free Ambulance (Inc.) is a new organisation, which came into being irt October, 1930. At that time the public was ill-served with ambulances: in fact, guarantee of payment was demanded of them before the call was answered. In October, 1930, when the Christchurch Free Ambulance commenced.

the country was passing through a very depressing period, and money was scarce. What better evidence of a chivalrous spirit could be shown ? The organiser, unknown, launches in the* face of an institution established since 1885 a free service without guarantee of payment for services rendered, but with sufficient faith in the public I<s> know that they would support him: So rapidly did support come to hand that within three months thousand! became monthly subscribers and the demand on our service was so great that our ambulance fleet had to lie increased.

Satisfied that the public had no( bee*i given that service to which, aft eg years of subscribing, they were rightly entitled, to, the Christchurch Free bulance commenced the holding of firstaid and home-nursing classes free of charge. Certificated officers carry on this branch under the general superintendent, who holds a certificate in teaching first-aid officers and amb« r lance driving. Another long-felt wanf?* was a station where people who wet# unable to go to hospital because of age. distance, expense, or otherwise, could have their wounds dressed daily.

Wc then opened up a free dressing station, where, at times, as many as 20 cases a day are attended to. , A case may be attended four or five weeks daily, free of charge. All offir cers of this society are paid, equipped ' with complete uniforms, and provision is being made to provide all voluntary male members with uniform. More workers are needed, and if not already qualified will be given a complete course in first-aid, stretcher drill, an<f' hygiene. —~ r Our ambulances proved their wqrf?f c in the recent earthquake. Christchurch must be proud of the fact that a coni'-‘ plete unit went straight away when the call came. On vour streets to-dav you will see the yellow ambulance with a red cross. They are the most up to. date in the South Island, and are for! service anywhere, any time. free. Thev are driven by expert drivers, and with, each ambulance goes a first-aid officer and nurse. Our property.is sufficiently large to" accommodate an all-night and day staff, and to house six ambulances. We are a permanent institution ip. Christchurch, and we hope as the years pass and the time comes when we have been established 40 years our present scheme will materialise and will provide for a complete chain of yellow ambulances from Invercargill to Marlborough Sounds. / This must eventuate if we continue to give you service, efficiency and courtesy—not chivalry. That word has got into misuse. We, are holding our Free Ambulance Day next week. We don’t want donations, but your moral support. FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE, RING 37-700.