National St John Ambulance (NStJA) has increased its emergency response during the festive season to keep communities safe across Port Moresby, Central Province, Lae, and Kokopo.

NStJA is working closely with the PNG Fire Service and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) to manage the expected rise in emergency callouts during Christmas and New Year.

During Christmas, ambulance crews in Port Moresby, were stationed at Badili, Gerehu, and 9-Mile Police Stations, as well as the Waigani Fire Station, allowing for faster response times in busy areas.

Police worked alongside ambulance officers to help keep crews safe while they respond to emergencies.

Ambulance Operations Executive Director Mr. Terence Torea, said the festive season usually brings more emergency calls, many linked to alcohol use.

“During the festive season, we often see a sharp increase in calls for help.”

“Many of these incidents are related to violence and injuries caused by excessive alcohol consumption.”

“To manage this, we added more ambulance crews to ensure people continue to receive urgent medical care.”

Extra ambulance crews have been operating in Port Moresby since Monday, 22 December, and will continue through to Sunday, 4 January 2026.

These crews are working 12-hour shifts from 11:00am to 11:30pm, on top of regular staffing.

To further support operations, thirteen additional First Responders have also been added to the Port Moresby roster.

Meanwhile, in Lae and Kokopo, extra ambulance crews were on duty from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, and again on New Year’s Eve, with standby teams ready if demand increases.

With these arrangements in place, a total of 14 emergency ambulance crews will continue to be on duty nationwide during peak festive periods.

Crews are also supported by rapid response units, doctors, and paramedics.

“Our priority is the safety of the public and our ambulance officers,” Mr Torea said.

“We thank communities for their continued support and for looking out for our crews.”

Furthermore, NStJA also acknowledged strong community support in Port Moresby, Lae, Kokopo, Bereina, Kwikila, and Kupiano, and thanked police and fire services for their ongoing cooperation.

NStJA has also urged everyone to celebrate responsibly and help keep the festive season safe for all.

In the event of an emergency, the public is advised to call 303 1000 or the toll-free number 111.