The National St John Ambulance Council (NStJA) is urging people to be extra careful on the roads this festive season and that people consuming alcohol do so drink responsibly this festive season. The ambulance service has deployed more ambulance workers to ensure that assistance is available when needed since they anticipate receiving more emergency calls when many people are out celebrating. Too often the NStJA see the tragic consequences of preventable injuries when seatbelts are not worn. NStJA warns that as the driver of the car, you are responsible for the safety of every passenger on your vehicle. You can help protect your family by encouraging them to wear seatbelts when they have one available to them. If you’re in a car that has a seatbelt available, make sure you wear it properly. To prepare for the busy holiday season, NStJA will have additional ambulance crews on duty from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. These crews will work 12-hour shifts from 11:00 to 23:00 to provide quick help for emergencies. Extra crews will also be available in Lae, Kokopo, and the National Capital District (NCD), with a total of 18 ambulance crews on duty each day across four provinces. “Our road ambulances are supported by around ten on-call units, including regional commanders, doctor and paramedic response teams, and personnel transport units. Altogether, 26 emergency response units will be available across the region to deliver critical care throughout the festive season.” NStJA Commissioner Matt Cannon said, “The holiday season is a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time to be careful. We want everyone to stay safe by making smart choices. Don’t drink and drive, always wear a seatbelt, and look out for your family and friends.” The ambulance service is grateful for the support it has received throughout the year. Cannon added, “We thank the communities in Lae City, ENB, Central, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, NCD, and beyond for their support of our ambulance Green Angels. Your respect and cooperation mean we can do our job better.” “We are immensely proud of our team of around 400 Green Angels, who work tirelessly to save lives every day, and equally proud of the many community members we’ve trained as first responders. This includes over 110 taxi and PMV drivers in Port Moresby who have stepped up as qualified community first aiders, helping to make our city safer for everyone.” Looking ahead, NStJA is working through NDoH, Provincial Governments and Provincial Health Authorities to open emergency ambulance stations in Eastern Highlands and Gulf province, and potentially Western Highlands Provinces in 2026. They are calling on the community to show their support by protecting the ambulance Green Angels ensuring their safety during this Christmas and New Year period.