Emergency Response
There for the community during times of crisis
The Medical Reserve
St John NSW is embedded in local communities across the state. Together, our people, medical equipment and supporting infrastructure provide a Medical Reserve capability for NSW.
We deploy during natural disasters and emergencies.
By providing first aid and medical care in the community, we bring support closer to those who need it. For the times when life is disrupted and regular care can be hard to access.
Our work takes pressure off the health system. This means ambulance and hospital resources can remain focused on critical care.
Always Ready. Always There.
St John teams are ready to respond.
Regular training and experience gained doing event medical services are just the starting point. These provide volunteers the core clinical and operational skills.
When disaster strikes, our State Operations Centres is the base from which specialised command, communications and other teams are activated.
St John is there in many different ways.
We provide first aid and medical care in evacuation centres. We care for other first responders, like RFS members at their bushfire bases. We do mobile outreach, first aid and mental health support.
There When it Matters Most
Tropical Cyclone Alfred
TC Alfred caused heavy rainfall and evacuations in 2025. St John provided medical care and first aid to vulnerable people in evacuation centres in Lismore, Evans Head, Kingscliff, Ballina and Mullumbimby. We treated 296 patients including for chronic conditions, drug and alcohol dependence, and mental health.
Statewide Flooding
In 2022, rainfall caused severe flooding across NSW. At one point over 30,000 people across 18 council areas were told to evacuate. We worked with NSW Health and other response agencies to set up temporary medical centres, deploy at responder base camps and evacuation centres across the state.
COVID-19 Response
St John NSW supported quarantine facilities and vaccination centres, providing surge capacity for Local Health Districts. We screened and tested at clinics, workplaces and transport hubs. Vulnerable communities welcomed our outreach services.
2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires
St John NSW was on the frontline with the Rural Fire Service in our state’s north, providing firefighters immediate medical care at their base camps. On the south coast, we staffed evacuation centres, supporting local communities in need.
Capabilities
Communications and Liaison Officers
Work within Event/Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to coordinate St John teams and act as inter-service liaison officers with other agencies.
Emergency Response Teams
Teams ready for short-notice deployment. With specialised training for the emergency context so they are prepared for the unique challenges.
Logistics
Managed fleet of vehicles, including mobile first aid posts vehicles, 4WDs, and command and communication vehicles. Standard response kits are supplemented with mass casualty kits and deployed for large-scale incidents.
Operations Command and Management
Staff experienced in emergency and operations management coordinate any health and medical service deployments.
Incident Management Team
Active during major emergencies. This team coordinates St John resources, establishes command structures, and liaises with government and other organisations.
Advanced Clinical
Healthcare professionals are a key part of the resources we deploy. Registered paramedics, nurses, and doctors are available to provide advanced care. Our 24/7 Clinical Advisory Line supports all members in the field.
Local readiness, statewide capacity
St John is an active part of local Emergency Management planning and preparedness.
We take part in training exercises, simulations and planning with government and other volunteer emergency services organisations.
