As Victoria’s major events season ramps up, St John Ambulance Victoria’s Event Health Services team has once again shown why it remains the state’s most trusted provider of onsite medical care.

At a major Melbourne running event held recently, more than 160 St John volunteers, including 30 qualified health professionals, delivered a world-class medical operation that supported over 50,000 participants across all race categories.

From first aid posts to rapid response crews, every corner of the course was protected by a highly coordinated network of skilled volunteers and clinical experts committed to keeping participants safe.

A Full-Scale Health Operation Under Pressure

The scale of the operation reflected the complexity and demands of large sporting events. St John deployed:

• 14 first aid posts
• 16 response trucks
• 4 Mobile Health Professional vehicles
• 5 bike response crews
• Dedicated Command, Communications, and Clinical Support teams

Across just six hours, teams treated as many patients as a major metropolitan emergency department would normally see in a full day, a demonstration of the capability, professionalism, and teamwork displayed under significant pressure.

This high-volume, high-stakes environment demonstrated exactly why St John’s Event Health Services are regarded as leaders in event medical planning and response.

Two Lives Saved at the Finish Line

Among the hundreds of patients treated, two critical incidents stood out.

Just 25 minutes apart, two runners collapsed at the finish line in sudden cardiac arrest.

St John teams, positioned exactly where they were needed, immediately initiated:

• Early CPR
• Rapid defibrillation
• Advanced clinical support as paramedics arrived

Thanks to the seamless response and clinical readiness of St John members, both patients were successfully revived and have since made positive progress in hospital.

In one of these responses, CPR was performed by a former St John Youth member, fresh out of the Youth program. Her confidence, calmness, and skill in a life-or-death moment reflect the extraordinary strength of St John’s Youth training and the importance of early first aid education.

This is the St John difference, young people empowered with real skills, volunteers trained to save lives, and a system built to respond in seconds when it matters most.

Showcasing the Excellence of Event Health Services

These lifesaving outcomes highlight the exceptional capability and preparedness of St John’s Event Health Services team. Every event is meticulously planned, clinically overseen, and supported by continuous training to ensure the safest possible environment for participants and spectators.

From major running events to festivals, concerts, and community gatherings, St John deploys scalable medical coverage designed to:

• Prevent avoidable injuries
• Treat medical conditions early
• Reduce pressure on emergency departments
• Save lives through rapid intervention

Committed to Keeping Victoria Safe This Event Season

With the summer events calendar now in full swing, St John Ambulance Victoria will continue to provide comprehensive medical coverage at dozens of major events across the state.

Whether responding to critical emergencies, treating fatigue and dehydration, or providing reassurance to exhausted runners and anxious families, our volunteers and health professionals remain dedicated to delivering care with compassion, skill, and a commitment to community.

Every event, every shift, every patient St John is there to keep Victoria safe.