St John Ambulance Australia

Last updated

St John Ambulance Australia
AbbreviationSJAA
Formation1883;141 years ago (1883)
Type Charitable organisation
Limited company
Location
Membership
12,631 [1]
Affiliations St John Ambulance
Website https://stjohn.org.au/

St John Ambulance Australia (also known as St John) (SJAA) is a charitable organisation, dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. It is part of an international organisation that consists of eight priories that form the Order of St John. The organisation is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "St John's Ambulance" instead of "St John Ambulance".

Contents

St John First Aid training centres were established in Australia in the late 19th century. On 13 June 1883 a public meeting was held in the Melbourne Town Hall to form a local branch of the association. By the end of June 1883, a centre had been established under the leadership of Edward Neild. [2]

The first division of the St John Ambulance Brigade (now known as St John Ambulance Event Health Services) was established in Glebe, New South Wales in 1903. A division of this organisation is still in operation today and is known as St John Ambulance Glebe Division. After this initial division was established other states followed suit, with divisions being set up in other states soon after. In 1987, the organisation adopted a single public title, "St John Ambulance Australia". The cadet movement was established in Australia in 1925 with a division in Glebe, NSW. The first Grand Prior's Badge issued outside the UK went to a cadet from Marrickville Cadet Division in 1933 named Marion Higgins.

Structure of St John

St John Ambulance volunteers at an event (NSW) AFAC17 Exhibitors - St Johns Ambulance NSW - 1.jpg
St John Ambulance volunteers at an event (NSW)

The organisation is divided into the states/territories who have their own boards and oversee the day-to-day running of St John. Some states are also divided into regions, who oversee all branches and report to the state boards. St John Ambulance Australia has three main branches, with each one having its own specific area of operation.

Event health services

St John provides volunteer event health & first aid services at events and emergencies. [3] First Aid Services is divided into states, regions and divisions.

Events covered by St. John Australia include sports, such as the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, where a team of 500 members treated over 3000 casualties. [4] Other events covered include sporting events, such as the Australian Open, music concerts and community fetes.

St John EHS volunteers support state emergency management and disaster plans in some states, in conjunction with other organisations like the State Emergency Service. [5]

Commercial first aid training

St John is the largest first aid training organisation in Australia. [6] Apart from its flagship Provide First Aid (a workplace first aid course), St John also offer instruction in topics such as Advanced Resuscitation, Advanced First Aid, AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and analgesic administration, remote first aid and occupational first aid.

Ophthalmic branch

St John Ambulance in Australia raises funds and recruits staff for the St John Ophthalmic Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. [7] Funds are raised through public donations, and income received from conducting first aid courses and selling first aid kits and merchandise.

Community care

St John Community Care conducts programs that are specific to each state. These activities range from assisting disadvantaged youth, to providing voluntary transport and support programs for the frail and elderly. [8]

Ambulance service

Western Australia

St John Ambulance Western Australia 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (W 906) 313 CDI MWB van, St John Ambulance (2017-12-09).jpg
St John Ambulance Western Australia

In Western Australia St John Ambulance provides the ambulance service. [9] This service is provided through a combination of paid and volunteer staff. Paid ambulance officers and paramedics are used in the metropolitan areas and larger regional centres. Volunteer ambulance officers are used in regional areas and some outer metropolitan areas.

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory St John Ambulance provides the ambulance service. [10] This service is provided through a combination of paid and volunteer staff. Paid ambulance officers and paramedics are used in the metropolitan areas and larger regional centres. Volunteer ambulance officers are used in regional areas. Aeromedical role is offered by CareFlight operating an AW 139 out of Darwin.

Ranks in St John

Cadet ranks

Cadet Ranks
RankNotes
Youth/CadetAged 12–15, has Level 1 First Aid Qualification
Youth Squad Leader/Cadet CorporalAged 12–15, has Level 1 First Aid Qualification and has gone through Youth NCO training
Youth Senior Leader/Cadet SergeantIbid.
Senior Youth/Senior CadetAged 14–18, has Level 2 First Aid Qualification ('Provide First Aid' Qualification)
Senior Youth Squad Leader/Senior Cadet CorporalAged 14–18, has Level 2 First Aid Qualification and has gone through Senior Youth NCO training
Senior Youth Senior Leader/Senior Cadet SergeantIbid.
Youth Leader ^Aged 18–25

^ Youth Leaders are adult members who have undertaken a specific leadership course and are ranked above youth but below all adult ranks

Adult ranks

Divisional Ranks
RankEquivalent Australian Army Rank
Private/MemberPrivate
CorporalCorporal
SergeantSergeant
Officer Grade 6Second Lieutenant
Officer Grade 5Lieutenant
Officer Grade 4Captain
Officer Grade 3Major
Officer Grade 2Lieutenant Colonel
Officer Grade 1Colonel
State CommissionerBrigadier
National Officer Grade 3Brigadier-General
National Officer Grade 2Major-General
National Officer Grade 1Lieutenant-General

Youth and cadet movements

St John runs Cadet Divisions for children aged 8–17, this includes Juniors (8–11) and Cadets (11–17). These can be found in most towns or suburbs of major cities in Australia. Examples are Glebe Division and Bathurst Division in New South Wales, Greater Dandenong Division in Victoria and Playford Cadet Division in South Australia.

The youth program in Australia, focuses on developing young people in a variety of aspects. Young members are taught first aid and participate in youth development and social activities. For cadets, it is also possible to study for various 'badges'. Some of the topics available include counter-disaster, animal care and cookery.

Across most divisions, youth and cadet divisions meet once a week, in a designated place, to conduct a training night. There is a designated training program for youth and cadet divisions [11]

Youth members within Event and Emergency First Aid Service programs attend public duties to provide first aid at various events to members of the public. These duties include things such as: Big Day Out, Royal Easter Show (NSW), National Folk Festival (ACT), AFL Games (All AFL states), NRL, Super 12, and Rugby Union games, amongst other popular events. [12] There are also many more lower profile events, like local fetes and markets. At these duties, St John members use treatment tools such as oxygen therapy equipment, defibrillators and analgesic gases on top of the standard first aid equipment.

In most states, new youth members (minimum age 14) will be put through a Senior First Aid Course (SFA) free of charge.

St John youth also provides leadership opportunities for people of all ages. The program possesses a leadership program and a ranking system similar to the military.

First aid competitions are also held each year. In these competitions, cadets (in teams of up to 3, or on their own) are tested on their first aid skill, practical thinking and problem solving ability, and scene management skills. A national competition is held every year, at the National Cadet Camp.

Youth councils

Each state and territory is encouraged to facilitate provision of a youth council, the National Office also facilitates the Australian Youth Council. Broadly, youth councils provide guidance to St John on issues affecting the organisation and its future development, particularly concerning the opinion and interests of young people.

In 2006, the Australian Youth Council (AYC) restructured to be made up of 16 state/territory representatives (nominated by their state/territory, including the state/territory chairperson and another representative) and 5 National portfolio holders, including a Communications Coordinator, Training and Leadership Coordinator, Research Development Coordinator, Policy Coordinator and Australian Chair. The AYC Chair also sits as a full member of the National Board of Directors for St John Ambulance Australia. The aims of the Australian Youth Council include:

  1. To work across St John to make it the volunteering organisation of choice for young people in Australia.
  2. To provide opportunity for young people to actively participate in the governance of St John.
  3. To provide guidance to St John that will contribute to the further development and improvement of the organisation.
  4. To develop young leaders in St John.
  5. To be relevant to young people.

The AYC usually meets in person once or twice a year, usually including the National Conference or Priory in June, and another meeting (Youth Stakeholders Weekend) later in the year, as well as teleconferences during the year which may include either the entire council or the National Team.

Youth councils consist of young people in the organisation who are aged 12 to 25 years.

States and territories of operation

See also

Related Research Articles

The British Red Cross Society is the United Kingdom body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The society was formed in 1870, and is a registered charity with more than 17,200 volunteers and 3,400 staff. At the heart of their work is providing help to people in crisis, both in the UK and overseas. The Red Cross is committed to helping people without discrimination, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, political beliefs or religion. Queen Elizabeth II was the patron of the society until her death in 2022, and was replaced by her successor King Charles III, who previously served as president between 2003 and 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Australian Country Fire Service</span>

The South Australian Country Fire Service is a volunteer based fire service in the Australian state of South Australia. The CFS has responsibility as the Control Agency for firefighting, rescues and hazardous materials and inland waterways in the country regions of South Australia. Its official mission is "To protect life, property and the environment from fire and other emergencies whilst protecting and supporting our personnel and continuously improving."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Andrew's First Aid</span> Charity based in Scotland

St Andrew's First Aid is a charity based in Scotland. Founded in 1882, St Andrew's Ambulance Association was Scotland's first ambulance service. From 1967, the St. Andrew's Scottish Ambulance Service was the sole contractor for the provision of the ambulance service, until 1974, when the National Health Service (NHS) was reorganised and St Andrew's ambulance role was absorbed into the Scottish Ambulance Service. The St Andrew's association continued as a provider of first aid services and training, changing their trading name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John Ambulance (England)</span> First aid organisation based in England

St John Ambulance is a volunteer-led, charitable non-governmental organisation dedicated to the teaching and practice of first aid and the support of the national emergency response system in England. Along with St John Ambulance Cymru, St John Ambulance Northern Ireland, and St John Scotland, it is one of four United Kingdom affiliates of the international St John Ambulance movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John Ambulance Canada</span> Medical organization

St. John Ambulance in Canada, or SJA (French: Ambulance Saint-Jean Canada, is a confederation of St John Ambulance Provincial and Territorial Councils under mandate by the "St John Councils Regulations 1975" of the Royal Charter, Statutes and Regulations of the Order of St John. Each Council is governed by a Board of Directors under Provincial or Territorial incorporating legislation together with the St John Ambulance Priory in Canada, incorporated under the federal Canada Not For Profit Corporations Act. The Priory provides support services to the Councils and manages the Order of St. John in Canada. The Councils deliver the mandate of training, product sales and volunteer community services and are responsible for their own governance, operations and management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hato Hone St John</span> Ambulance service in New Zealand

Hato Hone St John is a charitable organisation providing healthcare services to the New Zealand public. The organisation provides ambulance services throughout New Zealand, as well as certain other health services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong St. John Ambulance</span>

Hong Kong St. John Ambulance is a charitable organisation with a long history stretching back over a century and has been serving the community since 1884. Adhered to its motto, "For Faith, For the Service of Mankind", the organisation is dedicated to providing first aid and ambulance services in emergency, dental care for the handicapped, and courses of instructions on first aid and home nursing for the general public. Notably, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance is the only branch of St John Ambulance to provide free dental services as part of their regular services.

St John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI), previously known as the St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland, is a charitable voluntary organisation in Ireland. For constitutional reasons it is not a full member association of the Venerable Order of Saint John and the international St. John Ambulance movement, but rather is classed as an "associated body". The organisation is dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid. It is engaged in first aid training to the public, providing first aid and ambulance cover at public events, patient transport and community services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Order of Malta Ambulance Corps</span>

The Order of Malta Ireland – Ambulance Corps is a voluntary ambulance and first aid organisation operating in Ireland in affiliation with the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, founded in 1938.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John Singapore</span> Medical organization

St John Singapore is a voluntary secular organisation in Singapore established in 1877 which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. It is affiliated with the Order of Saint John based in the United Kingdom. Its ambulance members and nursing members perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events and other events. It comprises 3 sub-organisations, namely the St John Brigade Singapore, St John Association Singapore, St John Fellowship Singapore.

Since 1 July 2008, Ambulance Victoria has been the sole provider of emergency ambulance services in Victoria, having been formed from the merger of the three previous providers of emergency ambulance services: the Metropolitan Ambulance Service (MAS), Rural Ambulance Victoria (RAV), and the Alexandra District Ambulance Service (ADAS).

St John Ambulance New South Wales is a charitable organisation dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger. It provides first aid training and event and community health care services. It is part of an international organisation that consists of eight Priories that form the Order of St John. The organisation is sometimes incorrectly referred to "St John's Ambulance" or "St Johns Ambulance" (plural/possessive) instead of "St John Ambulance" (singular).

Emergency medical services in Australia are provided by state ambulance services, which are a division of each state or territorial government, and by St John Ambulance in both Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John Ambulance Cadets (England)</span> Youth division of St John Ambulance in England

St John Ambulance Cadets is a youth organisation of St John Ambulance founded in England in 1922 for people aged between 10 and 17 to train them in first aid, social actions, wellbeing, communication and other essential skills. As of December 2019, there were 8,071 Cadets in England. Cadets take part in a variety of activities that consist of providing first aid at community events, learning leadership and training skills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John Ambulance of Malaysia</span> Medical organization

St. John Ambulance of Malaysia is a Malaysian-based, non-profit statutory body dedicated to the works of humanity and charity for the relief of persons in sickness, distress, suffering or danger without any distinction of race, class, colour or creed. With a history stretching back over a century, SJAM forms part of the wider St. John Ambulance, a foundation of the Venerable Order of Saint John with presence in 41 sovereign states, dependencies, autonomies or territories.

The St John Ambulance Australian Youth is an organisation of St John Ambulance Australia that aims to teach and develop young people first aid and other skills with a spirit of community service. The movement has more than 3,500 youth members, aged between 12 and 18 across Australia.

There are many national organisations in the United Kingdom that have been established to provide services to people under the age of 18.

St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria) Inc is a self-funding, non-profit charitable organisation providing first aid training, patient transport and event health services and youth programs in Victoria. These services are provided through a combination of paid and volunteer staff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St John Ambulance (Northern Territory)</span> Australian healthcare organisation

St John Ambulance Northern Territory is a non-profit, charitable organisation providing first aid services and training, urgent care, patient transport, ambulance and other medical services in the Northern Territory. It has served as the primary ambulance service in the Northern Territory since 1966. These services are provided through a combination of paid and volunteer staff. St John NT is funded through a combination of government funding, corporate and private donations and user pays services.

Cadets or cadet corps are voluntary youth programs sponsored by a national military service or ministry of defence. These programs are aimed to provide youths with activities associated with military or paramilitary training, including drills, physical fitness, and education. Although these youth organisations are modelled after their sponsoring military service, they do not form a part of these services nor do they constitute a military service in their own right.

References

  1. St John Ambulance Australia - Volunteering
  2. "History". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  3. "First Aid Services". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  4. Dutch, Martin J; Senini, Lisa M; Taylor, Deborah J (31 May 2008). "Mass gathering medicine: The Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games experience". Emergency Medicine Australasia. 20 (3): 228–233. doi:10.1111/j.1742-6723.2008.01085.x. PMID   18462409. S2CID   205887482.
  5. "Extraordinary People Wanted". St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria). Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  6. "First Aid Courses". St John Ambulance Australia (Victoria). Retrieved 2 January 2012.
  7. "Ophthalmic". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  8. "Community Care". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  9. "St John Ambulance Western Australia". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  10. "St John Ambulance Northern Territory". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
  11. "Volunteers". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2009.
  12. "St John Ambulance Western Australia". St John Ambulance Australia. Retrieved 28 April 2009.