Alice Springs, located in the heart of Australia is home to approximately 25 000 residents with the vast region stretching over 542 500 square kilometres. Surrounded by the magnificent East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the town supports a transient tourist population attracted to the unique characteristics of the outback.

Historically, St John took over the Ambulance Service from the Department of Health for the Alice Springs Region in 1979. In 1983 the new Alice Springs Headquarters and Ambulance Station was opened by their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess of Wales.

St John Ambulance Alice Springs provides a 24 hour 7 day a week service to the local  township and surrounding communities. The population is relatively small and sparsely distributed compared to the large region the service is responsible for. Not all areas are accessible by road and these are covered by Aero-medical Service/Territory Health Services (a Government medical service) or the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The specific area of responsibility extends North to Barrow Creek, North West to Rabbit Flat, West to Docker River, South to the South Australian Border and East to the Queensland border. Long road trips can be commonplace, especially at night when aircraft are restricted in movement.

The station hosts 2 full time 10/14 crews (2x 10 hr day shifts, 2x 14 hr night shifts) with 20 permanent Paramedics, ranging from students through to Intensive Care Paramedics. There are also 5 Emergency Medical Dispatchers working in the Communications Centre, whose primary role consists of taking 000 calls and coordinating Ambulance Service resources. Staff members are responsible to the Operations Manager and Deputy Operations Manager of the Southern Region. In addition support staff working in administration, sales and general duties assist with the operational aspect of the centre.

The role of a Paramedic working in Alice Springs can be rewarding, challenging and at times demanding. The remote nature of the town and surrounding areas can provide for situations requiring creative and adaptive thinking. Jobs attended by Paramedics can range from medical complaints such as seizures, chest pain or breathing difficulties, through to trauma from individual injury or motor vehicle accidents.

The Ambulance fleet in Alice Springs consists of 6 double berth Mercedes Sprinters and 2 Troop Carriers. Further support vehicles are kept on centre to provide assistance to Ambulance crews or utilised in the event of a major disaster. These vehicles are maintained by the workshop located at the rear of the centre.

The Ambulance centre includes a training hall and training personnel offering St John Ambulance first aid courses to the public. In addition the Operations branch- the volunteer arm of the service, meet regularly to focus on maintaining or developing various first aid skills and knowledge. These volunteers provide first aid coverage at various sporting, entertainment and community events.

The Alice Springs Ambulance centre is located on Telegraph Terrace next to the Fire Station. The administration hours for are Monday- Friday 0800hrs- 1630hrs, excluding Public Holidays.

• Car Parking is available along Allchurch St (just behind the Ambulance Centre)
• Disabled parking available on request
• One training hall with kitchen facilities

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