Nineteen (19) new National St. John Ambulance (NStJA) officers graduated on Wednesday 27th November after completing a demanding 10-week Ambulance Officer Level One Course at the new National Ambulance Education College in Port Moresby city. This milestone reinforces NStJA’s mission to serve the nation by providing excellence in emergency care to Papua New Guineans in times of sickness, distress, crisis, or danger, without distinction of tribe, class, or creed. NStA Chef Medical Officer Dr. Mangu Kendino said the 19 new officers will immediately join the team, working alongside seasoned ambulance officers to gain on-road experience and on-the-job training while responding to calls in both urban and remote areas. “Now that your part of the NStJA team, this is a critical time (festive period) and emergency medical care is quite expending and diversifying and we need to do more, and you will be there as the first responders.” Dr. Kendino stated that this course was not only prepared to manage emergency but it's also about instilling the qualities in teamwork that define a true professional, and that's to create compassion, teamwork and determination. “You have completed a challenging journey. One that's tested your knowledge, your skills and your resilience. You're ready to step into a role that carries immense responsibility and an opportunity for you to make a difference.” She encouraged the graduates to continue to look crisp as they did on their graduation ceremony and congratulated the 19 graduands on their achievement. The new graduates are poised to make an immediate difference, enhancing the capacity of Papua New Guinea’s jurisdictional ambulance service to deliver life-saving care to communities across the nation. The training program combines classroom learning with practical, hands-on experience, including managing medical, trauma, and psychological emergencies. Recruits also participated in parade drills, bootcamp-style training, and physical fitness activities to instill discipline, teamwork, and the endurance required for the challenging role of an ambulance officer. Additionally, they completed an advanced safe driving course for emergency responders to ensure they can respond safely to emergencies under varied and often challenging conditions. Matt Cannon, Chief Executive of NStJA said, “These new officers are now ready to serve Papua New Guinea as they step into their roles as Trainee Ambulance Officers. They have been rigorously trained to respond to emergencies, stabilize patients, and ensure they receive timely care. This is critical in a country where access to emergency services can mean the difference between life and death.” NStJA continues to play a pivotal role as the government’s jurisdictional ambulance service, ensuring the public receives professional and timely emergency medical care. Cannon also acknowledged the vital role of the National Ambulance Education College and its trainers. “Our ambulance education team has done an outstanding job in delivering high-quality training that prepares these recruits to meet real-world challenges. Their efforts are shaping the future of emergency care in Papua New Guinea.” The program’s success has also been made possible by the generous support of key partners, including ExxonMobil PNG, which funded the Ambulance Operations Centre, the National Government, and the National Department of Health Emergency Medicine Office. These collaborations ensure NStJA continues to expand its services and provide critical care to Papua New Guineans. Further support from the Australian Federal Police through the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership (PNG-APP) has enabled NStJA paramedics to develop in-house ambulance educators, strengthening the organization's long-term capacity to train and mentor new recruits. The graduates are stepping into a vital role, serving communities in moments of crisis, from remote villages to busy urban centres. Their training ensures they are ready to respond to emergencies, uphold NStJA’s values—Care, Agility, Respect, Excellence, and Service above Self—and support the health of Papua New Guineans.