The National St John Ambulance Council (NStJA) has launched a pioneering initiative aimed at strengthening emergency medical services in the National Capital District (NCD).
In a milestone event held on the 13st of July, nine (9) newly trained volunteers were officially inducted into the ambulance service as part of the new Weekend Warrior Ambulance Reservist Program (WWARP).
The program is designed to bolster the capacity of St John Ambulance crews during the busiest periods—Friday and Saturday nights and public holidays—by deploying trained civilian volunteers known as “Weekend Warriors.”
These reservists will work alongside professional paramedics to help meet surging demand for emergency services.
“This marks a significant step forward in building a more resilient and responsive emergency care system. While the Weekend Warrior Program is entirely voluntary, it’s also highly professional. The reservists are well-trained, fully supervised, and ready to support our front-line teams during critical hours,” said Dr. Arabella Koliwan, Interim CEO of NStJA.
The WWARP targets working professionals from Port Moresby’s business community, offering them an opportunity to give back to the community while gaining life-saving skills.
Over seven (7) Sundays between June and July, the nine inductees completed a comprehensive reservist ambulance training course. The program, approved by the PNG Medical Board and overseen by the Chief Medical Officer of NStJA, covered essential competencies such as advanced first aid, basic life support, emergency driving, scene management, radio communications, and safe ambulance operations.
Dr. Koliwan expressed gratitude to the families, employers, and supporters of the reservists.
“Your encouragement makes their service possible. This initiative wouldn’t succeed without the community standing behind these volunteers.”
The launch of WWARP marks the first time NStJA has introduced a reservist-style ambulance program in Papua New Guinea.
The council views the initiative as a model for future expansion, emphasizing innovation, community engagement, and improved access to emergency care.
The National St John Ambulance Council congratulates the inaugural group of Weekend Warriors and looks forward to seeing the program grow in the months ahead.