New ambulance station opens
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A new ambulance station for St John Ambulance has opened in Belfast.
Situated in Brackenvale Business Park, the station will be used by the
Belfast Headquarters Transport Division as its depot and training premises.
The division has a membership of 25 volunteers, who are trained as first
aiders and ambulance attendants for its fleet of six accident and emergency
ambulances.
The ambulances are used to provide first aid and ambulance cover at public
and sporting events.
The opening ceremony was performed by Mr Liam McIvor, chief executive
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Unveiling a plaque to mark the opening Mr McIvor said: “The Belfast
headquarters division of St John Ambulance is a busy ambulance division,
playing an important role in providing ambulance cover at public events in
Belfast.
“Last year the members carried out many hours of public duty, some at events
which could not have taken place without the voluntary first aid services
provided by the ambulances and their crews.”
The building was dedicated by the Reverend Gordon McMullan.
The new accommodation includes a large garage, training room and training
facilities.
Commenting on the premises Dr Wilson Clarke, deputy head of the Order of St
John in Northern Ireland and also chairman of St John Ambulance, said: “The
new ambulance station provided for this division of St John Ambulance in
Belfast offers a permanent state of the art base for these volunteers and
ambulances. I believe that the new facilities will attract volunteers from
the surrounding area.”
