First Response Unit Ambulance Volunteer

He aha te tūranga - About the role:
Sign up in 2026, Start the training in 2027
You are invited to attend our Information Evening at 5:30 pm on Thursday 29 October 2026 at Matamata Ambulance station - 32 Rawhiti Avenue.
We are looking for a team of volunteers to operate our First Response Unit (FRU) ambulance to supplement our frontline crews in Matamata!
The First Response Unit will operate in time-critical emergency incidents (i.e. a cardiac arrest) when a full-time ambulance is not immediately available. The FRU volunteers will be notified of incidents via an automated messaging system and can choose whether or not they can respond, there is no roster or obligation. Volunteer crews will meet at the Station, take the FRU to the scene to and provide the critical patient care until further assistance arrives.
What Hato Hone St John will provide:
Continuous and regular NZQA recognised advanced first aid and clinical training
Driving and radio training
Pager/responder tools
Ongoing support
Membership of one of New Zealand's most trusted brands as well as benefits and discounts for St John services and products and at national and local retailers
Support you can expect after joining our team
We will give you all the support and education needed to make you safe and effective in the field. This includes:
A two day Operations Induction course.
A two day Operations Risk Management course which is designed to help you stay safe in the field.
A two day Ambulance Driving course (where driving is part of your role) which is supported by online learning and the completion of a driving logbook.
A four day First Responder course which is designed to enable you to assess patients and manage immediately life threatening emergencies in the community. This is supported by online learning and the completion of a First Responder Student workbook.
At the completion of the Operations Risk Management and First Responder courses you will be issued with a Level 3 New Zealand Certificate in Emergency Care (First Responder) and will hold the clinical practice level of First Responder (the foundation clinical level for ambulance in New Zealand).
Ko wai koe - About you:
Before you apply; you will need the following:
A full and clean NZ driver's license for at least 12 months or have completed an approved NZTA advanced driving course (if full license held for less than 12 months)
To be 18 years of age or over
A New Zealand citizenship or permanent resident status
A Clean Police record
To be able pass the recruitment assessment including physical / written and interview assessments
Meet our medical standards
To be living in the community (within 15-minute drive) to station to be able to respond
If successful, the training courses will be on the following dates in Cambridge:
Induction: 18-19 February 2027
AORM: 20-21 February 2027
Driving: 12-13 March or 14-15 March 2027
First Responder: 01-04 April 2027

Employment type
Casual

Work arrangement
No