A new emergency safety capability on the Public Safety Network (PSN) Land Mobile Radio (LMR) network will provide enhanced protection for Hato Hone St John frontline staff working alone across New Zealand.

The new Emergency Alert feature is being introduced as part of the nationwide rollout of the PSN LMR network. Designed to support lone workers, the capability automatically raises an alert if a radio user becomes incapacitated or is unable to call for assistance.

When activated, Emergency Alert immediately transmits the user's location to Hato Hone St John's communications centre and briefly opens the radio microphone with priority network access. This enables communications staff to quickly assess the situation, identify the user's location and coordinate an appropriate response.

Jayden Strickland, Operations Support Manager at Hato Hone St John, said lone working is one of the organisation's most significant operational risks, with hundreds of ambulance first responders beginning each day as lone workers in communities across New Zealand.

"This new capability will benefit everyone from rural responders and extended care paramedics to patient transfer services and operational support staff. It provides reassurance that, if something goes wrong, the PSN LMR network can automatically raise the alarm and help direct support to where it's needed."

The PSN LMR network is being delivered by SafetyNet and will be progressively rolled out across New Zealand from later this year, providing secure, resilient and modern communications for emergency services agencies. As Hato Hone St John transitions to the new network, the benefits of Emergency Alert will be realised across its frontline operations.

Strickland said the new feature demonstrates how the Public Safety Network is delivering practical improvements that directly support frontline staff.

"Success for us means knowing we have another effective tool to help keep our people safe while they're working alone in potentially challenging environments."

Supporting Safer Frontline Response

Emergency Alert is one of a suite of advanced capabilities being introduced through the PSN LMR network to improve responder safety, operational coordination and resilience across New Zealand's emergency services.

By combining a modern nationwide digital radio network with enhanced safety features, the Public Safety Network is helping ensure frontline responders have reliable communications, improved situational awareness and faster access to support when it matters most.