St. John Ambulance in Canada
Encyclopedia
St. John Ambulance Canada, or SJAC (French
: Ambulance Saint-Jean Canada (ASJC)) is the Canadian
chapter of St. John Ambulance
(SJA), a worldwide non-profit first aid
training organization. The mission of St. John Ambulance Canada is to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety, and quality of life through training and community service. SJAC has more than 25,000 members in communities across Canada.
In 1897 the Dominion Council of Canada was established in Ottawa
to give legitimacy to the operations of St John Ambulance Brigade in Canada. At the same time St. John Ambulance Brigade activities commenced in the territories of Manitoba
, Saskatchewan
, Alberta
, and British Columbia
.
In 1993, the Dominion Council of Canada became the Commandery
of Canada due its increasing activity and social need for first aid services and training.
In 1946, the Priory of Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem was established. This was done in recognition of two needs:
In 2008, St. John Ambulance Canada celebrated its 125 anniversary. A plaque commemorates the 125th anniversary of the completion of the inaugural St. John Ambulance Canada first aid course conducted at the Royal Military College of Canada
in Kingston, Ontario
for the benefit of gentlemen Cadets and Staff in 1883-4 and initiated a close and continuous association that has been forged in both peace and war, between St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Forces
.
St. John Council for Ontario plaque 6 June 2009
, setting the standard for training in first aid, CPR and other life-saving skills. SJAC also offers many advanced level courses including the Medical first responder (MFR) in several provinces. As well St. John also operates 2 colleges of Paramedicine; the Atlantic Paramedic Academy in New Brunswick
and the Maritime School of Paramedicine in Nova Scotia
.
St. John Ambulance also offers courses in pet first aid to the community.
support in times of emergency or disaster, and youth programs that encourage community service and personal development.
SJAC provides patient care and first responder services at public events throughout Canada with their Volunteer Community Services, much in the same way as in England. Members in Canada wear a similar uniform, and are trained to the new Medical First Responder
(MFR) program. In Nova Scotia, the volunteers no longer use the term "Brigade" or "Ambulance". They are now referred to as "St John Volunteer Medical Response". This change came about in an attempt to better reflect what the volunteers can offer to their communities.
Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and British Columbia are the only provinces that still wear their full uniform: a pair of black tac pants, a button up black shirt with crests on both sleeves, with 'Medical First Responder' reflective
on the back for MFR members. Accompaning a fully MFR trained member may be a Member that are in the process of obtaining their full MFR qualification. Members-in-training wear a white shirt with crests on both sleeves, a black wool sweater (optional), a black tie for formal events, a SJA hat or beret (optional), and a pair of black boots.
and has expanded across the country. Partnerships have been established in hospitals, palliative care
units, day care
centres, senior residences, rest homes, special needs
schools and psychiatric hospitals where people are often restricted from having pets
. The Therapy Dog program sees a volunteer and their dog make visits to an institution, often on a weekly basis.
students with the We Can Help Program, which provides children with an introduction to first aid skills and basic injury prevention
messages, is designed for children ages seven through ten. Children today are often given a great deal of responsibility, and the intention of this program is to ensure that their knowledge of safety is as strong as possible.
at some hospitals in Alberta
.
The Friends are an important part of the emergency room care team. Friends are there to provide patients and their companions with comfort and support while in the waiting room.
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
: Ambulance Saint-Jean Canada (ASJC)) is the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
chapter of St. John Ambulance
St. John Ambulance
St John Ambulance, branded as St John in some territories, is a common name used by a number of affiliated organisations in different countries dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid and the provision of ambulance services, all of which derive their origins from the St John...
(SJA), a worldwide non-profit first aid
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
training organization. The mission of St. John Ambulance Canada is to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety, and quality of life through training and community service. SJAC has more than 25,000 members in communities across Canada.
History
St. John Ambulance was founded in Canada in 1882. Under this banner, volunteers from coast-to-coast carry out the humanitarian services of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.In 1897 the Dominion Council of Canada was established in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
to give legitimacy to the operations of St John Ambulance Brigade in Canada. At the same time St. John Ambulance Brigade activities commenced in the territories of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, and British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
.
In 1993, the Dominion Council of Canada became the Commandery
Commandry (feudalism)
Commandry , or commandery , was the smallest division of the European landed estate or manor under the control of a commendator, or commander, of an order of knights...
of Canada due its increasing activity and social need for first aid services and training.
In 1946, the Priory of Canada of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem was established. This was done in recognition of two needs:
- (a) the expanding role and activities of the St. John Ambulance Association and the St. John Ambulance Brigade throughout Canada, and
- (b) the need to transfer the governance of the Order to the national capital, OttawaOttawaOttawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, and away from being under the governance of the Priory of England and the Islands.
In 2008, St. John Ambulance Canada celebrated its 125 anniversary. A plaque commemorates the 125th anniversary of the completion of the inaugural St. John Ambulance Canada first aid course conducted at the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
for the benefit of gentlemen Cadets and Staff in 1883-4 and initiated a close and continuous association that has been forged in both peace and war, between St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
.
St. John Council for Ontario plaque 6 June 2009
Training
Led by a highly skilled network of medical and health care professionals, SJAC is the national leader in first aidFirst aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, setting the standard for training in first aid, CPR and other life-saving skills. SJAC also offers many advanced level courses including the Medical first responder (MFR) in several provinces. As well St. John also operates 2 colleges of Paramedicine; the Atlantic Paramedic Academy in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
and the Maritime School of Paramedicine in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
St. John Ambulance also offers courses in pet first aid to the community.
Medical First Response Services
The Medical First Response Services were formerly known as St. John Ambulance Brigade and are often still referred to as such, both within the organization and by others. Each MFRS unit are a group of trained volunteers that serve within their community in a variety of ways. Services include first aid services at public events, Medical ServicesEmergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
support in times of emergency or disaster, and youth programs that encourage community service and personal development.
SJAC provides patient care and first responder services at public events throughout Canada with their Volunteer Community Services, much in the same way as in England. Members in Canada wear a similar uniform, and are trained to the new Medical First Responder
Certified first responder
A certified first responder is a person who has completed a course and received certification in providing pre-hospital care for medical emergencies. They have more skill than someone who is trained in basic first aid but they are not a substitute for advanced medical care rendered by emergency...
(MFR) program. In Nova Scotia, the volunteers no longer use the term "Brigade" or "Ambulance". They are now referred to as "St John Volunteer Medical Response". This change came about in an attempt to better reflect what the volunteers can offer to their communities.
Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and British Columbia are the only provinces that still wear their full uniform: a pair of black tac pants, a button up black shirt with crests on both sleeves, with 'Medical First Responder' reflective
High-visibility clothing
High-visibility clothing, a type of personal protective equipment , is any clothing worn that has highly reflective properties or a colour that is easily discernible from any background. Yellow waistcoats worn by emergency services are a common example....
on the back for MFR members. Accompaning a fully MFR trained member may be a Member that are in the process of obtaining their full MFR qualification. Members-in-training wear a white shirt with crests on both sleeves, a black wool sweater (optional), a black tie for formal events, a SJA hat or beret (optional), and a pair of black boots.
Therapy Dog
The SJA Therapy Dog Program began in Peterborough, OntarioPeterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
and has expanded across the country. Partnerships have been established in hospitals, palliative care
Palliative care
Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients...
units, day care
Day care
Child care or day care is care of a child during the day by a person other than the child's legal guardians, typically performed by someone outside the child's immediate family...
centres, senior residences, rest homes, special needs
Special needs
In the USA, special needs is a term used in clinical diagnostic and functional development to describe individuals who require assistance for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological. For instance, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the International...
schools and psychiatric hospitals where people are often restricted from having pets
PETS
PETS may be an acronym for:* Pet Travel Scheme, which allows animals to travel internationally without quarantine* Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act...
. The Therapy Dog program sees a volunteer and their dog make visits to an institution, often on a weekly basis.
We Can Help
SJAC provides elementary schoolElementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
students with the We Can Help Program, which provides children with an introduction to first aid skills and basic injury prevention
Injury prevention
Injury prevention are efforts to prevent or reduce the severity of bodily injuries caused by external mechanisms, such as accidents, before they occur. Injury prevention is a component of safety and public health, and its goal is to improve the health of the population by preventing injuries and...
messages, is designed for children ages seven through ten. Children today are often given a great deal of responsibility, and the intention of this program is to ensure that their knowledge of safety is as strong as possible.
Friends of the Emergency Room
The Friends of the Emergency Room program volunteers provide comfort and support services to people who access the emergency departmentEmergency department
An emergency department , also known as accident & emergency , emergency room , emergency ward , or casualty department is a medical treatment facility specialising in acute care of patients who present without prior appointment, either by their own means or by ambulance...
at some hospitals in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
.
The Friends are an important part of the emergency room care team. Friends are there to provide patients and their companions with comfort and support while in the waiting room.
Youth Programs
Youth in SJAC are a very important part of the organization as well. The proficiency program allows youth members to gain the Grand Prior's award, as well as work toward the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Proficiencies are awarded for such demonstration of knowledge of subjects, both related and unrelated to the organization. The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Grand Prior's Award, and to give the youth valuable life skills. The Grand Prior's Award is achieved when the adolescent has completed 6 compulsory and 6 elective proficiency courses. In addition to this, youth members are given the opportunity to perform community service at public events, provided that they are supervised by trained adult members.Disaster Planning and Aid
In times of emergency, SJAC can be placed on standby, waiting to provide Disaster Relief and Emergency services to the effected area. Exactly what procedures are taken greatly depends on local Disaster Management planners, however the government of Canada has officially recognised the role SJAC fills in the process.http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/em/cemc/res_organization-eng.aspx Supplies and equipment may vary as well as numbers of personnel immediately available in the area, but SJAC does have a plan already in place, in the form of the National Duty Officer, for the callup of additional personnel and equipment to augment local Units.http://www.sja.ca/english/contact_us/emergency_contact.aspSee also
- St John Ambulance Ranks and InsigniaSt John Ambulance Ranks and InsigniaFrom its beginnings, the St. John Ambulance Brigade employed ranks and insignia to distinguish grades within its membership and management structure; these were extended across the wider organisation following its merge with the St John Ambulance Association to form St. John Ambulance...
- Goodwin HouseGoodwin HouseGoodwin House is a prominent heritage building in Ottawa, Canada. Located at 312 Laurier Avenue East it was built by railway executive George Goodwin from 1899 to 1900. It is one of the largest mansions ever built in the city. It later became a convent for the Grey Nuns, and during the Second...
- Former National Office Building - Service Medal of the Order of St JohnService Medal of the Order of St JohnThe Service Medal of the Order of St John is an award given to those that have provided a requisite number or years service to the Venerable Order of St John...
- Insignia of the Venerable Order of St John