With the completion of the multi-billion 966 kilometers North-South Expressway in 1994, motorists can now cut down travelling time from Bukit Kayu Hitam at the Kedah-Thailand border to Johor Bahru to less than twelve hours. With higher speed limit and more vehicles on the road, accidents are common. In 1995, SJAM stationed twenty-two ambulances, each manned by three fully trained members, at various PLUS toll stations. The objective of the Highway Emergency Ambulance Service (HEAS) is to provide first aid at any motor vehicle accidents at the earliest opportunity before the arrival of secondary support. Our presence also serves as a reminder to motorists to drive carefully; thus, contributing to indirect preventive measures.
Since the introduction of the service, 1,200 members have been rotated on an eight-hour shift over a period of four days during festival seasons like Hari Raya Puasa, Chinese New Year, Christmas and New Year, SJAM Penang volunteers will be stationed at the Bertam Toll Plaza and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) Toll Plaza with ambulances to standby and respond to any emergency happens along highway during these peak seasons. Meanwhile, SJAM’s ambulances from every state of Peninsular Malaysia will stationed at strategic location along highway as well.