JAPANESE Ambassador to Jamaica Yasuo Takase signed an agreement which will see the addition of six ambulances to St John Ambulance Jamaica at the St John National Council of Jamaica’s Camp Road office, yesterday.

“This is to provide improved coverage across the island, better respond to medical emergencies and make for a more meangingful community emergency and disaster responsive operation,” Earl Jarrett, chairman St John National Council of Jamaica, told Auto.

The six ambulances will be sourced from Japan through the country’s Society for Promotion of Japanese Diplomacy (SPJD). The agreement also sees a grant of $8.5 million used to re-condition the units to fit local requirements and cover associated shipping costs. The vehicles are scheduled to arrive in just over a month, during which time St John National Council of Jamaica has entered another partnership with the Jamaica Automobile Association (JAA) to launch an accredited ambulance driver course to expand the available pool of expertise.

“Our number of ambulances will move to 10, allowing us to better respond to the growing demand,” explained Alison Christie Binger, executive director St John National Council of Jamaica.

The six new units will be strategically spread over the island. Three will be kept in Kingston at the St John National Headquarters. The remainder will be stationed at the North Central Headquarters in Prospect, St Mary.