Wellington Free Ambulance

Infobox Organization
name = Wellington Free Ambulance

---

size = 300px
caption = WFA logo
motto =
formation = 9 November 1927
type = Charitable organisation
headquarters = 19 Davis Street,
Thorndon,
Wellington
location = flag|New Zealand
leader_title = Chief Executive Officer
leader_name = John Britton
key_people =
num_staff = 74 paramedics, 63 volunteer paramedics, 55 support staff
budget = ~NZ$11 M
website = [http://www.wfa.org.nz/ www.wfa.org.nz]

The Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA) provides free to the patient ambulance services in the Wellington Region of New Zealand.

History

The ambulance service was created on 9 November 1927 by the mayor of Wellington, Sir Charles Norwood, and initially operated out of the Old Navals boatshed. The service moved into a purpose built station on Cable Street in 1932, with Lord Bledisloe laying the foundation stone. The board created a long service medal for staff in 1956, for twelve (later ten) years service. [cite web|title=http://www.medals.org.uk/new-zealand/new-zealand031.htm|url=http://www.medals.org.uk/new-zealand/new-zealand031.htm|accessdate=2007-11-12] In 1994 Prince Charles opened the new ambulance station in Davis Street, Thorndon, after a major fundraising drive.cite web|title=Still Free After 80 Years|url=http://www.pcn.co.nz/northerncourier/stories/nc090507/nc090507-NEWS-Ambulance.htm|date=2007-05-09|work=Northern Courier|accessdate=2007-11-12]

A WFA officer was accidentally shot in the leg by police during an AOS exercise on 27 July 2002. [cite web|title=Ambulance officer shot in AOS exercise
url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2296981|work=New Zealand Herald|date=2002-07-30|accessdate=2007-11-12]

On 8 September 2005 an ambulance belonging to the service was stolen during a call-out, the vehicle was found crashed on its side at nearby intersection. [cite web|title=Ambulance theft 'stupid'|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=344&objectid=10344743|date=9 September 2005 |work=New Zealand Herald|accessdate=2007-11-12]

Thieves stole $5,000 worth of equipment and caused $15,000 damage to a WFA vehicle in November 2007. [cite web|title=Ambulance raided while on call out in Petone|url=http://nz.news.yahoo.com/071106/2/2bjh.html|work=Yahoo! Xtra News|date=7 November 2007|accessdate=2007-11-12]

Operations

The service annually assists over 40,000 patients in the Wellington Region. The headquarters includes vehicle maintenance facilities, and a communications centre - one of three in the national network. [cite web|url=http://www.cnews.co.nz/070307/13.html|title=Wellington Free Ambulance|work=Community News |accessdate=2007-11-12] The Life Flight air ambulance service jointly owns an ambulance in Wellington with the WFA. [cite web|url=http://www.lifeflight.org.nz/teamops.htm|title=Operations Team & Service Partners|work=Life Flight|accessdate=2007-11-12]

Funding

The cost of running the service in 2006 was $10.8 M. 75% of this cost is met by the Ministry of Health and the Accident Compensation Corporation.cite web|title=Annual Report|url=http://www.wfa.org.nz/Resources/AnnualReports/WFA_AnnualReport_2006.pdf|work=Wellington Free Ambulance|date=2006|accessdate=2007-11-12] [cite web|title=How we help|url=http://covered.acc.co.nz/default.php?page=how|work=Accident Compensation Corporation|accessdate=2007-10-11] The remainder comes from donations and bequests from the public, proceeds from first aid training and supplies, and medical alarms.

Resources

As of 2007 the service has the following resources:
* 8 ambulance stations
* 22 ambulances
* 3 4WD rescue vehicles
* 74 full-time paramedics
* 63 volunteer paramedics

References

*cite book|first=A.W.|last=Beasley|title=Borne Free - Wellington Free Ambulance 1927-1994|publisher=Grantham House|date=1995|isbn=1869340477

External links

* [http://www.wfa.org.nz/ Official website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmLNvW5xA_g Youtube WFA responding to a call]