St. John Ambulance in Singapore
Encyclopedia
St John Ambulance Singapore is a voluntary organisation in Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

 which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. Its members also perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events.

The headquarters
Headquarters
Headquarters denotes the location where most, if not all, of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. In the United States, the corporate headquarters represents the entity at the center or the top of a corporation taking full responsibility managing all business activities...

 is located at 420 Beach Road. It was opened on July 23, 1960 by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (and subsequently President of Singapore
President of Singapore
The President of the Republic of Singapore is Singapore's head of state. In a Westminster parliamentary system, as which Singapore governs itself, the prime minister is the head of the government while the position of president is largely ceremonial. Before 1993, the President of Singapore was...

), En. Yusof bin Ishak
Yusof bin Ishak
Yusof bin Ishak was an eminent Singaporean politician and the first President of Singapore of Minangkabau descent. His portrait appears on the Singapore Portrait Series currency notes introduced in 1999.-Early life:...

.

Structure

The St John Ambulance Singapore comes under the command of the National St John Council with the following appointments:
Appointment Incumbent
Council Chairman Mr Bobby Lim Chye Huat, PBM, C.St.J.
Vice-Chairman Dr. Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J.
Vice-Chairman Dr. Teh Peng Hooi, C.St.J.

Apart from promoting and assisting St. John Ambulance Association & Brigade as well as to raise the necessary funds to support their work, the main objects of the Council, are briefly as follows:
  1. To promote and encourage all works of humanity and charity for the relief of distress, suffering, sickness and danger without any distinction as to race, class or creed, and the extension of the great principles of the Order of St John embodied in its mottoes "for the Faith" and "For the Service of Mankind".
  2. To render aid to the sick, wounded, disabled or suffering and to promote such permanent organisation in time of peace, as may be available immediately in time of emergency, such aid shall include the provision of technical reserves for the Medical services of the Armed Forces or civil defence organisations in the Republic of Singapore.
  3. To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.


In June 1978, the Brigade was reorganised and upgraded to National Headquarters level with the following appointments:
Appointment Incumbent
Chief Commissioner Dr Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J.
Deputy Chief Commissioner Mr Tan Yak Huang, PB, C.St.J.
Chief Surgeon Dr Christopher Goh Hood Keng, S.B.St.J.
Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner (Administration) Mr Seah Boon Chun, PB, PBS, C.St.J.
Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner (Operations) Mr Tian Mong Ching, C.St.J.
Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner (Nursing) Mrs Yang-Ho Ah Pong, PBS, O.St.J.


This brought our organisation status at par with St. John Ambulance organisations in other independent nations. The Brigade was structured into 4 Districts and 10 Areas.

In 1996, the Brigade was again re-structured. The District level was removed, and the Brigade became simply structured into 10 Zones.

St John Ambulance is a ranked organisation, and members fall into a hierarchical structure of command. St. John Ambulance ranks
St John Ambulance Ranks and Insignia
From 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...

 run from Member, through Corporals, Sergeants and Officers all the way up to the Chief Commissioner. However,it is difficult to equate the rank structure to equivalent ranks in other military/paramilitary organisations.

Cadet movement

St John Ambulance in Singapore largely consists of cadet members - i.e. secondary school students who joined St John as their CCA
Co-curricular activity
Co-curricular activities , previously known as Extracurricular Activities are non-academic activities that all Singaporean students must participate in...

. Currently, the various schools under the 10 Zones are as follows:
Zone 1 (Zone Commissioner: Ms Nancy Low Bee Lian, S.S.St.J.)
  • Bedok Green Sec Sch
  • Bishan Park Sec Sch
  • Peirce Sec Sch
  • CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls School
  • Northview Sec Sch
  • Pasir Ris Crest Sec Sch

Zone 2 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Cheng Chung Hsien, S.B.St.J.)
  • Anglican High Sch
  • Bedok North Sec Sch
  • Bedok View Sec Sch
  • Changkat Changi Sec Sch
  • Springfield Sec Sch
  • Temasek Sec Sch
  • Yuying Sec Sch
  • Junyuan Sec Sch
  • East Spring Sec Sch

Zone 3 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Derek Tan, S.B.St.J.)
  • Anderson Sec Sch
  • Deyi Sec Sch
  • First Toa Payoh Sec Sch
  • Mayflower Sec Sch
  • St Anthony's Canossian Sec Sch
  • St. Joseph's Institution
  • Yishun Town Sec Sch
  • Northland Sec Sch

Zone 4 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Koh Siak Hong, PK, PBS, S.B.St.J.)
  • Anglo-Chinese School(Independent)
  • Chua Chu Kang Sec Sch
  • Beatty-Katong Convent Sec Sch
  • Paya Lebar MGS
  • St Andrew's Sec Sch
  • St Joseph's Convent
  • Swiss Cottage Sec Sch
  • Westwood Sec Sch
  • Hillgrove Sec Sch

Zone 5 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Frederick Lim Yew Soon, CMSJ)
  • Chung Cheng High School (Yishun)
  • Dunearn Sec Sch
  • Monk's Hill Sec Sch
  • Nanyang Girls' High School
  • New Town Sec Sch
  • Poi Ching PS Badger Unit
  • Queensway Sec Sch
  • Zhonghua Sec Sch
  • Canberra Sec Sch
  • West Spring Secondary School

Zone 6 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Lee, S.B.St.J.)
  • Zone 6 Combined Adult
  • Bukit Merah Sec Sch
    Bukit Merah Secondary School
    Bukit Merah Secondary School is a mixed/co-educational, single session, government secondary school in the Central zone of Singapore. It is currently located at 10 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159050 in the Bukit Merah vicinity...

  • Bukit Panjang Govt. High School
    Bukit Panjang Government High School
    Bukit Panjang Government High School is a secondary school in Choa Chu Kang, a residential town in the western part of Singapore...

  • Chestnut Drive Sec Sch
  • Fajar Sec Sch
  • GreenRidge Sec Sch
  • Yishun Sec Sch
  • Riverside Sec Sch
    Riverside Secondary School (Singapore)
    Riverside Secondary School is a co-educational, single session, government school on Woodlands Street, Singapore. Students of the school are referred to as "Riversidians". Mrs. Sng-Tan Siew Hong is the principal....

  • Siling Sec Sch
  • Teck Whye Sec Sch
  • Woodlands Sec Sch
  • Woodlands Ring Sec Sch
  • Woodlands Ring PS Badger
  • NUS High School
  • Balestier Hill Sec Sch

Zone 7 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Kuo Keng Huat, S.B.St.J.)
  • Ahmad Ibrahim Sec Sch
  • Hwa Chong Institution
    Hwa Chong Institution
    Hwa Chong Institution is an independent school in Singapore for students aged 12 to 18 covering both secondary and pre-university levels. A Ministry of Education-designated FutureSchool, it operates under the Special Assistance Plan for bilingualism, and offers the Integrated Programme and also...

     (High School)
  • Henderson Sec Sch
  • Nan Hua High Sch
  • Naval Base Sec Sch
  • Tanglin Sec Sch
  • North Vista Sec Sch
  • Xinmin Sec Sch

Zone 8 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Chin Chee Wah, S.B.St.J.)
  • Bedok South Sec Sch
  • Chung Cheng High Sch (Main)
  • Dunman High School
    Dunman High School
    On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming" (回家) to welcome students and staff to the upgraded campus.-Principals:Since its establishment in 1956, Dunman High School has had eight principals:-School song:...

  • East View Sec Sch
  • Greenview Sec Sch
  • Peicai Sec Sch
  • Pei Chun Badger Unit
  • Tampines Sec Sch
  • MacPherson Sec Sch

Zone 9 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Yong Cheng Thye, S.B.St.J.)
  • Boon Lay Sec Sch
  • Bukit Batok Sec Sch
  • Clementi Town Sec Sch
  • Clementi Woods Sec Sch
  • ITE(Central) Bedok
  • Jurongville Sec Sch
  • River Valley High Sch
  • Yuan Ching Sec Sch
  • Northlight School

Zone 10 (Zone Commissioner: Ms Wendy Neo Lay Cheng, S.S.St.J.)
  • Damai Secondary School
    Damai Secondary School
    Damai Secondary School is a government co-educational secondary school in Singapore. It stands next to the Bedok Reservoir, flanked by the Pan Island Expressway .- History :...

  • Gan Eng Seng School
    Gan Eng Seng School
    Founded by philanthropist Gan Eng Seng in 1885, Gan Eng Seng School is one of the oldest schools in Singapore. GESS was the first school to be set up by a local Chinese and the first to form a parent-teachers' association in 1950. It was an all-boys' school for 102 years until it became...

  • Hai Sing Catholic School
    Hai Sing Catholic School
    Hai Sing Catholic School is a secondary school in Singapore founded in 1959 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters.The then Hai Sing Girls' High School grew out of a need to provide secondary school education to girls in the rural area of Upper Serangoon...

  • Holy Innocents' High School
    Holy Innocents' High School
    Holy Innocents' High School is one of the earliest catholic schools in Singapore...

  • Maris Stella High School
    Maris Stella High School
    Maris Stella High School is an autonomous, SAP, Government-aided, all-boys Catholic secondary and primary school run by the international Marist Brothers at Mount Vernon Road in Singapore. It was headed by Bro. Anthony Tan from 1984 to 2009. Mr Joseph Lim Choon Kiat, the former Vice Principal,...

  • Catholic High School
  • Kranji Secondary School
    Kranji Secondary School
    Kranji Secondary School is a premier secondary school located in Yew Tee, Singapore.In 2005, the school was chosen as the site to film the sitcom version of Jack Neo's hit film I Not Stupid Too.- Sports & Games :* Netball* Badminton* Basketball* Soccer...

  • Gan Eng Seng Primary School Badger Unit


As St John the Baptist Day, June 24 normally falls during the Singapore School Holidays, St John Cadets observe St John Ambulance Brigade Day on the first Wednesday after school reopens. On that day, all St John Ambulance Brigade members in schools will report to school in Brigade Uniform, and the St John Day Message by the Chief Commissioner will be read out by the Principal or a student leader. On that day, St John members reaffirm their loyalty to the Republic of Singapore and affirm their commitment to the mottoes of the Order, 'For the Faith' and 'For the Service of Mankind'.

Typically, St John cadets in Singapore learn First Aid, Home Nursing, Transportation of Casualties and footdrill as part of their core syllabus. They also have the opportunity to go on other enrichment activities such as camping trips where they can earn proficiency badges http://www.sjab.org.sg/cpbsys.html. Outstanding members may also vie for the prestigious Chief Commissioner's Badge, which is only attainable after obtaining 12 proficiency badges according to a set of strict criteria.

Pledge

To be loyal to Singapore and the President of the Republic

To upkeep the honour and dignity of the Brigade and my Country

To observe the mottoes of the Order, which are "Pro Fide" – For the Faith, "Pro Utilitate Hominum" – For the Service of Mankind

To be loyal to the Chief Commissioner and all my Officers

To read the Brigade Regulations and to comply with them in all respects

To carry out all orders received from time to time from seniors

To carry out my duties with zeal and efficiency to the best of my ability

To be courteous and honest in all my words and actions

Cadet Proficiency Badge Scheme

The objective of the Cadet Proficiency Badge Scheme is to encourage cadet members to take an interest in subjects outside their normal curriculum and to widen their interests by carrying out these activities in their leisure time. Such activities may also be organized by their respective Corps/Zones. Certain activities are also organized by the NHQ.

The proficiency badges are divided into 4 groups as follow:

Group 1 : Welfare and Service
  • Anti-Drug Abuse Course (Ref: Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association)
  • Casualty Simulation
  • Citizenship
  • Civil Defence (Ref: Singapore Joint Civil Defence Force Civil Defence Volunteer Unit)
  • Community Care
  • Crime Prevention
  • Energy Conservation (Ref: Energy Conservation Division Corporate Planning Department)
  • Heart Saver (Ref: SJAB National Headquarters/Ministry of Health)
  • Leadership (Ref: SJAB or NACTI)
  • Total Defence (Ref: Ministry of Defence)
  • Nursing Care


Group 2 : Outdoor Activities
  • Adventure Training Course (Ref: Outward Bound Singapore)
  • Athletics
  • Camping and Campcraft
  • Canoeing (Ref: People's Association)
  • Cycling
  • Diver (Ref: Singapore Underwater Federation - a member of the World Underwater Federation)
  • Expedition
  • Games
  • Hiking
  • Life Saving (Ref: Singapore Life Saving Society - a member of the Royal Life Saving Society)
  • Map Reading
  • Swimming (Ref: Singapore Life Saving Society - a member of the Royal Life Saving Society)
  • Gardening
  • Archery
  • Air Rifle


Group 3 : Crafts and Hobbies
  • Artist
  • Collecting
  • Electrical Repairs
  • Homecraft
  • Librarian
  • Martial Arts
  • Musician
  • Photography
  • Computer Knowledge
  • Community Song


Group 4 : General
  • Accident Prevention
  • Clerical Ability
  • Cookery and Nutrition
  • Drill Knowledge
  • Fire Fighting and Prevention (Ref: Singapore Civil Defence Force)
  • Handyman
  • International Friendship
  • Knowledge of The Order of St. John
  • Languages
  • Pet Care
  • IT Knowledge


Achievement Badges
  • National Activity Badge


Upon participation in any of the following activities:
- SYF Parade
- National Day Parade
- Brigade Camp (National Level)
- Inter-Zone(i.e. National) First Aid and Home Nursing Competition
- Uniformed Groups Heritage Trail
  • Unicorn Badge


Upon obtaining 4 proficiency badges from each of the four categories (excluding the Knowledge of The Order) and the National Activity Badge.
  • The Commissioner's Badge


Upon obtaining 6 proficiency badges(at least one from each category + the Knowledge of The Order) and meeting the following criteria:
- Must not be above 20 years of age on the date of qualifying for the badge
  • The Chief Commissioner's Badge


Upon obtaining 12 proficiency badges(at least two from Category I & II, no more than two from Category III + Knowledge of The Order) and meeting the following criteria:
- Must not be above 20 years of age on the date of qualifying for the badge

In 2005, the policy on wearing of achievement badges was revised to allow members to continue wearing the Chief Commissioner Badge even after they are promoted to an officer.

Annual First Aid and Home Nursing Competition

An annual first-aid-competition among schools is held in each of the 10 zones. There are 4 categories to the competition.

The champions of each category go on to represent their Zone in the Inter-Zone First Aid Competition.
Category Description
Ambulance Adult (AA) Males of age 16 or above with Adult First Aid Cerificate
Nursing Adult (NA) Females of age 16 or above with Adult First Aid Certificate
Ambulance Cadet (AC) Males of age 17 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate
Nursing Cadet (NC) Females of age 17 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate

Inter-Corps First Aid Competition

The various Zones conduct Inter-Corps First Aid Competition amongst themselves to decide which Corps gets to represent them at the Inter-Zone First Aid Competition, usually held in July.

The following table lists the various champions for 2010.
Zone AA Champion AC Champion NA Champion NC Champion
1 Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School
Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School
Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School is a secondary school in Pasir Ris, Singapore.Pasir Ris Crest Secondary has been awarded Value-Added Gold for its 2007 GCE 'O' Level results.-Principals:* Mrs Teo Khin Hiang...

Peirce Secondary School Bedok Green Secondary School
Bedok Green Secondary School
Bedok Green Secondary School is a co-educational neighbourhood government secondary school at 360 Bedok North Avenue 3, Singapore. Founded in January 2001, it was housed on the premises of the former Temasek Secondary School at 2 Bedok South Road and moved to its current location on 31 December...

CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School
CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School
CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School is an all-girls' Catholic primary and secondary school in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore. The school is one of 11 Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus schools in Singapore. SNGS has led the group of IJ schools with excellent results in sporting and academic achievements...

2 Temasek Secondary School
Temasek Secondary School
Temasek Secondary School is an autonomous secondary school in Singapore and serves Secondary One through Five. It was founded in 1980 sharing a campus with Bedok South Secondary School at Upper Changi Road. In 1995, the school attained autonomy...

Anglican High School
Anglican High School
Anglican High School is an autonomous, Special Assistance Plan and Government-aided co-educational secondary school in Tanah Merah, Singapore.- History :...

Anglican High School
Anglican High School
Anglican High School is an autonomous, Special Assistance Plan and Government-aided co-educational secondary school in Tanah Merah, Singapore.- History :...

East Spring Secondary School
3 Bedok Green Secondary School
Bedok Green Secondary School
Bedok Green Secondary School is a co-educational neighbourhood government secondary school at 360 Bedok North Avenue 3, Singapore. Founded in January 2001, it was housed on the premises of the former Temasek Secondary School at 2 Bedok South Road and moved to its current location on 31 December...

Anderson Secondary School
Anderson Secondary School
Anderson Secondary School is a co-educational government school in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore, covering Secondary 1 to Secondary 5 . It became an autonomous school in 1994 and was one of the pioneer autonomous schools in Singapore.-History:...

St Joseph's Institution
4 - - - -
5 - Zhonghua Secondary School
Zhonghua Secondary School
Zhonghua Secondary School is an autonomous secondary school in Serangoon, Singapore, catering to boys and girls taking the Special/Express Course as well as those taking the Normal Course...

Nanyang Girls' High School
Nanyang Girls' High School
Nanyang Girls' High School is an all-girls secondary school in Singapore. It participates in the Integrated Programme with Hwa Chong Institution under the Hwa Chong Affiliate Programme...

Nanyang Girls' High School
Nanyang Girls' High School
Nanyang Girls' High School is an all-girls secondary school in Singapore. It participates in the Integrated Programme with Hwa Chong Institution under the Hwa Chong Affiliate Programme...

6 Riverside Secondary School
Riverside Secondary School
Riverside Secondary School can refer to:*Riverside Secondary School , Port Coquitlam, British Columbia*Riverside Secondary School , Windsor, Ontario*Riverside Secondary School , Singapore...

Bukit Merah Secondary School
Bukit Merah Secondary School
Bukit Merah Secondary School is a mixed/co-educational, single session, government secondary school in the Central zone of Singapore. It is currently located at 10 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159050 in the Bukit Merah vicinity...

Bukit Panjang Govt. High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School is a secondary school in Choa Chu Kang, a residential town in the western part of Singapore...

Bukit Panjang Govt. High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School is a secondary school in Choa Chu Kang, a residential town in the western part of Singapore...

7 Nan Hua High School
Nan Hua High School
Nan Hua High School is a secondary school in Clementi, Singapore. The school is operated by the Ministry of Education. It is the tenth Special Assistance Programme school in Singapore, in which both English and Chinese are taught as first languages...

Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution is an independent school in Singapore for students aged 12 to 18 covering both secondary and pre-university levels. A Ministry of Education-designated FutureSchool, it operates under the Special Assistance Plan for bilingualism, and offers the Integrated Programme and also...

Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School
Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School is a co-educational, secular, public school. Originally named Ahmad Ibrahim Integrated Secondary School, it was in the Sembawang Hills Estate in Upper Thomson. It was then the second integrated school to be built in Singapore. The school begun functioning in 1963,...

Nan Hua High School
Nan Hua High School
Nan Hua High School is a secondary school in Clementi, Singapore. The school is operated by the Ministry of Education. It is the tenth Special Assistance Programme school in Singapore, in which both English and Chinese are taught as first languages...

8 East View Secondary School
East View Secondary School
East View Secondary School is a government secondary school located in Tampines, Singapore that offers Secondary 1-4/5 classes.- History :...

Dunman High School
Dunman High School
On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming" (回家) to welcome students and staff to the upgraded campus.-Principals:Since its establishment in 1956, Dunman High School has had eight principals:-School song:...

Dunman High School
Dunman High School
On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming" (回家) to welcome students and staff to the upgraded campus.-Principals:Since its establishment in 1956, Dunman High School has had eight principals:-School song:...

Dunman High School
Dunman High School
On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming" (回家) to welcome students and staff to the upgraded campus.-Principals:Since its establishment in 1956, Dunman High School has had eight principals:-School song:...

9 Bukit Batok Secondary School
Bukit Batok Secondary School
Bukit Batok Secondary School is a government secondary school in Singapore. It is located in Bukit Batok in western Singapore. The nearest MRT station to this school is Bukit Batok MRT station. 941, 66, 157, 174, 174e, 178, 506 are buses that will lead you to the school....

River Valley High School
River Valley High School
River Valley High School may refer to:*River Valley High School, Singapore*River Valley High School *River Valley High School *River Valley High School...

Jurong Ville Secondary School River Valley High School
River Valley High School
River Valley High School may refer to:*River Valley High School, Singapore*River Valley High School *River Valley High School *River Valley High School...

10 - - -

Inter-Zone First Aid and Home Nursing Competition 2010

Category Champion Runner Up 2nd Runner Up
Ambulance Adult Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
The Anglo-Chinese School is a Methodist secondary school in Singapore. It is a descendant of a school established in 1886 by Rev William Fitzjames Oldham at 70 Amoy Street, Singapore, and one of a group of educational institutions collectively known as the Anglo-Chinese School...

 (Zone 4)
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School is a secondary school in Singapore founded in 1959 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters.The then Hai Sing Girls' High School grew out of a need to provide secondary school education to girls in the rural area of Upper Serangoon...

 (Zone 10)
Riverside Secondary School
Riverside Secondary School (Singapore)
Riverside Secondary School is a co-educational, single session, government school on Woodlands Street, Singapore. Students of the school are referred to as "Riversidians". Mrs. Sng-Tan Siew Hong is the principal....

 (Zone 6)
Ambulance Cadet Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution
Hwa Chong Institution is an independent school in Singapore for students aged 12 to 18 covering both secondary and pre-university levels. A Ministry of Education-designated FutureSchool, it operates under the Special Assistance Plan for bilingualism, and offers the Integrated Programme and also...

 (Zone 7)
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School is a secondary school in Singapore founded in 1959 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters.The then Hai Sing Girls' High School grew out of a need to provide secondary school education to girls in the rural area of Upper Serangoon...

 (Zone 10)
Zhonghua Secondary School
Zhonghua Secondary School
Zhonghua Secondary School is an autonomous secondary school in Serangoon, Singapore, catering to boys and girls taking the Special/Express Course as well as those taking the Normal Course...

 (Zone 5)
Nursing Adult Yishun Town Secondary School
Yishun Town Secondary School
Yishun Town Secondary School is an autonomous government secondary school in Yishun, Singapore. The students are referred to as YTzens.-School logo:...

 (Zone 3)
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School is an all-girls school located in Hougang, Singapore, running on a single session catering to pupils in the Special, Express, Normal Academic and Normal Technical streams. Since 1995, PLMGSS has been offering Higher Chinese to her pupils. There are 61 teachers,...

 (Zone 4)
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School is a secondary school in Singapore founded in 1959 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters.The then Hai Sing Girls' High School grew out of a need to provide secondary school education to girls in the rural area of Upper Serangoon...

 (Zone 10)
Nursing Cadet Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School
Hai Sing Catholic School is a secondary school in Singapore founded in 1959 by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary sisters.The then Hai Sing Girls' High School grew out of a need to provide secondary school education to girls in the rural area of Upper Serangoon...

 (Zone 10)
Dunman High School
Dunman High School
On 2 January 2009 the school opened to a new year with an opening ceremony named "Homecoming" (回家) to welcome students and staff to the upgraded campus.-Principals:Since its establishment in 1956, Dunman High School has had eight principals:-School song:...

 (Zone 8)
Bukit Panjang Govt. High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Bukit Panjang Government High School is a secondary school in Choa Chu Kang, a residential town in the western part of Singapore...

 (Zone 6)

Uniform

The present uniform consists of a white top and black bottom for all members of the Brigade,.

For the Cadet and Adult members' headdress, a black beret bearing either the Cadet or the Adult cap badge is worn. Nursing (female) members are also encouraged to wear hairnets, especially during major parades.
The top consists of a white sleeved shirt/blouse with silver buttons bearing the SJAB insignia. Shoulder flashes bearing the Maltese Cross are worn on both sleeves. Epaulettes bearing the Cadet/Adult members' rank are worn on the shoulders.

The bottom consists of black pants for Ambulance (Male) members and black culottes for Nursing (Female) members. Black socks and shoes complete the uniform for members. Lady officers have the option of wearing court shoes for functions (i.e. when not on parade or duty.)

Officers and Warrant Officers have altogether 5 different uniforms:
Common Name Description (Ambulance) Description (Nursing)
Safari Uniform A bush jacket with 4 big silver buttons in front, with epulattes and metal rank insignias for both the men and the ladies. (Sergeants-Major wear embroided slot-in epulattes). Medal ribbons are normally worn though full medals (together with the ceremonial belt) are sometimes worn during parades and ceremonies. Peak Cap is worn.
A new Safari Uniform with slip-on rank insignias was spotted being worn
Same. Lady officers have the option of black culottes or slacks.
Field Uniform Same uniform as for Members except for collar badges. Beret is worn. Same. Lady officers have the option of black culottes or slacks.
No. 1 Uniform A long-sleeved version of the safari jacket, with full medals, worn on top of a white shirt black and tie (analogous to the SAF's No. 5E). A ceremonial belt, in red, white and black is worn around the waist. Peak Cap is worn. A long-sleeved version of the safari uniform. Senior lady officers also have a gray dress but this uniform is seldom seen nowadays. Round Hat is worn.
Mess Kit A wing-collared shirt with maroon cummerband bow-tie. Tuxedo jacket with miniature medals and rank insignias is worn. No headdress is worn. A cross bow-tie. Tuxedo jacket with miniature medals and rank insignias is worn. No headdress is worn.
Formal Uniform spotted being worn in 2011 A long-sleeved shirt worn tucked-in with two pockets in front, with shoulder flaps and slip-on rank insignias. Worn with a special name tag with the St John Ambulance logo, a navy blue tie embroidered with the 8-pointed St John cross and the words 'St John Ambulance' and the standard St John Ambulance nylon belt. Trousers are as per Field uniform. Peaked cap and medal ribbons are worn. Not seen yet


Besides rank insignias, Senior Officers are distinguished by different cap badges and embellishments. In addition, Officers Grades 2 and above are entitled to wear gorget
Gorget
A gorget originally was a steel or leather collar designed to protect the throat. It was a feature of older types of armour and intended to protect against swords and other non-projectile weapons...

 patches.

As of 2011, a new embroidered cap badge is being introduced for Officers.
Rank Cap Embellishment (Ambulance) Cap Embellishment (Nursing) Cap Badge
Grades 4 through 6, Sergeants Major and Corps Presidents Plain Peak Cap Plain Round Hat Officer Cap Badge in White Metal
Grades 3 through 1 and Zone Presidents Peak Cap with a silver bar for the men Round Hat with a miniature cockade Officer Cap Badge in White Metal
Super Grades and HQ Presidents Peak Cap with a silver bar and St John wort Round Hat with a full cockade Senior Officer Cap Badge (cross in White Enamel)

Rank Gorget Patches
Supergrade Officers and HQ Officers (Grade 1)
Zone Commissioners pending
HQ Officers (Grade 2) and Zone Officers (Grade 1)
Zone Officers (Grade 2)
HQ Officers (Grades 3 through 5) and Sergeants Major Collar badges with red backing
Zone Officers (Grades 3 through 5) and Sergeants Major
Corps Officers (Grades 3 to 6) and Sergeants Major
HQ/Zone/Corps President

Rank structure

Throughout their secondary education, members are awarded ranks as follows:
  • Private
    Private (rank)
    A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...

  • Lance-Corporal
  • Corporal
    Corporal
    Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....

  • Sergeant
    Sergeant
    Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....

  • Staff Sergeant
    Staff Sergeant
    Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...

  • Senior Staff Sergeant
    Senior Staff Sergeant
    A senior staff sergeant in the Singapore Police Force ranks between staff sergeant and station inspector....


Upon completing their secondary education, ex-cadets may continue their service to the Brigade. Some choose to just return as friends of the school and conduct training for their juniors, while others undergo further formal training to prepare themselves to be appointed as Brigade Officers.

Brigade Officers hold ranks at Corps, Zone or National Headquarters level, and these ranks are further divided into Grades 6 through 1 (Grade 1 being the most senior). The most senior Brigade Officers hold ranks of Super Grade 5 through 1.

Description of rank structure

All ranks are worn on the shoulder board. All badges are made of White Metal against a black background. (This list is not exhaustive.)
Medical doctors have a red outline around their shoulder boards as shown in the below pictures.
Rank Illustration Typical Appointment
Super Grade 1 Pending Chief Commissioner
Super Grade 2 Dy Chief Commissioner / Chief Surgeon
Super Grade 3 Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner
Super Grade 4 Assistant Chief Commissioner / Chief Nursing Officer
Super Grade 5 Commissioner / Zone Commissioner
Grade 1 HQ Staff Officer / Deputy Zone Commissioner
Grade 2 HQ Staff Officer / Zone Superintendent / Zone Surgeon* / Zone Nursing Officer
Grade 3 (HQ / Zone) Staff Officer / Corps Superintendent / Zone Nursing Officer
Grade 4 (HQ / Zone / Corps) Staff Officer / Corps Surgeon* / (Zone / Corps) Nursing Officer
Grade 5 (HQ / Zone / Corps) Staff Officer / Corps Nursing Officer / Zone Nursing Officer*
Grade 6 Corps Staff Officer
Special Grade HQ / Zone / Corps President
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...

HQ / Zone Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major
Sergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...

Pending Corps Sergeant Major
  • Denotes such an officer can be promoted to the next higher grade depending on performance. A Deputy to such an officer (or one acting in his capacity) would normally be of one grade lower, and an Assistant would be of two.

Awards and commendations

Officers and Members of the Brigade are eligible for the following Awards and Commendations:

Local awards

  • 5 Years First Aid Efficiency Medal (for 5 years' service)
  • Commendation Medal (which carries the post nominal letters CMSJ)

International (Order) awards

  • Service Medal of the Order (for 10 years' service)
  • Bar to the Service Medal (for each subsequent 5 years' service up to 45 years)
  • Gilt Laurel Leaf (for 50 years' service)
  • Admission/Promotion to the Order of St John
    • Serving Brother / Serving Sister (S.B.St.J. or S.S.St.J.)
    • Officer Brother / Officer Sister (O.St.J.)
    • Commander Brother / Commander Sister (C.St.J.)
    • Knight / Dame of Grace (K.St.J. or D.St.J.),
  • Life-Saving Medal of the Order (in Gold, Silver or Bronze)


The grades of the Order are numbered 1 through 6, however this is not to be confused with the grading of Brigade Officers.

The highest grade in the Order, G.C.St.J. is limited only to the Great Officers of the Order and 21 other individuals. The lowest grade in the Order, Esq.St.J. is for Personal Esquires for K.St.J. and above who probably play a role similar to that of an Aide-de-Camp
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...

.

The allotment is as follows: 2 Personal Esquires for Knights of Justice and above, and 1 Personal Esquire for Knights of Grace. No Personal Esquires have been appointed in Singapore.

Chairman, National St John Council

  • Dr Baey Lian Peck, JP, BBM, O.St.J. ( - )
  • Dr Ng Eng Lim, K.St.J. ( - )
  • Mr Peter Ngo Gim Kang, JP, BBM(L), K.St.J. ( - 2007)
  • Mr Bobby Lim Chye Huat, PBM, C.St.J. (2007 - )

Director, St John Ambulance Association

  • Dr Timothy Phoon, K.St.J. ( - )
  • Dr David Tan Kia Choo, C.St.J. (1999 - )
  • Dr Teh Peng Hooi, C.St.J. ( - )

Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

  • Dr D.P.McIntyre ( - )
  • Dr P.C. Kwan ( - )
  • Dr K.L. Loh, BBM, C.St.J. ( - July 1970)
  • Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, BBM, C.St.J. (July 1970 - 1978)

Chief Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

  • Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, BBM, C.St.J. (1978 - 10 Sep 1980)
  • Dr Gwee Ah Leng, PJG, JP, C.St.J. (11 Sep 1980 - 23 June 1989)
  • LTC(Vol) Prof Low Cheng Hock JP, PBM, PPA(E), K.St.J. (24 June 1989 - 1999)
  • A/Prof Ho Nai Kiong BBM, K.St.J. (1999–2005)
  • Dr Chen Sze Hua C.St.J. (2005 - )

See also

  • Order of St. John
    Venerable Order of Saint John
    The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem , is a royal order of chivalry established in 1831 and found today throughout the Commonwealth of Nations, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United States of America, with the world-wide mission "to prevent and relieve sickness and...

  • St John Ambulance
  • St John Ambulance Ranks and Insignia
    St John Ambulance Ranks and Insignia
    From 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...

  • St. Andrew's Ambulance Association
    St. Andrew's Ambulance Association
    St Andrew's First Aid is a first aid charity based in Scotland. Founded in 1882, St Andrew's was Scotland's first ambulance service. Now a voluntary organisation it uses the brand "St Andrew's First Aid" and seeks to preserve the lives of people in Scotland by through the provision of education...

  • Service Medal of the Order of St John
    Service Medal of the Order of St John
    The 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

Sources

  • History: http://www.sjab.org.sg/history.htm. Retrieved 6 April 2007
  • Names of Corps taken from http://www.sjab.org.sg/allzone.htm. Retrieved 6 April 2007
  • Description of Rank Structure taken from the Brigade Regulations of the Republic of Singapore

(1997 edition)
  • Results of 2008 National Competition from http://www.sjab.org.sg/

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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