St John Ambulance Australia
Encyclopedia
St John Ambulance Australia (SJAA) is a self-funding 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
.
in the late 19th century. On the 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.
The first division of the St John Ambulance Brigade (now known as first aid services/operations branch) 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.
In 2005, it was decided that the organisation would adopt a corporate structure with closer relationships between the branches of St John, known as 'One St John'.
St John Ambulance Australia has several main areas of activity:
Volunteer First Aid Service (Also known as Operations Branch):
St John provides volunteer first aid services at events and emergencies. First Aid Services is divided into states, regions and divisions, headed nationally by Chief Commissioner Prof Paul Arbon AM CStJ.
Events covered by St. John Australia include sports, such as the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games where a team of 5000 members treated over 3000 casualties, concerts and community events.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground
is the among the safest places in the world to suffer a heart attack owing to the extent of the pre-hospital care provided primary by St. John Volunteers at the venue.
St John volunteers support state emergency management and disaster plans in some states.
Training:
St John is the largest first aid training organisation in Australia. Apart from its flagship Senior First Aid course, St John also offer instruction in advanced topics such as ALS (Advanced Life Support), which includes Advanced Resuscitation, AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and analgesic administration (including entinox gas and methoxyflurane analgesics).
Ophthalmic Care:
St John Ambulance Australia raises funds and recruits staff for the St John Ophthalmic Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. Funds are raised through public donation, 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.
Ambulance Service:
In Western Australia
and the Northern Territory
St John Ambulance provides the statutory ambulance service. 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.
^ Cadet Leaders are adult members who have undertaken a specific leadership course and are ranked above cadets but below all adult ranks
, 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
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. 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.
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.
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...
.
History
St John First Aid training centres were established in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the late 19th century. On the 13 June 1883 a public meeting was held in the Melbourne Town Hall
Melbourne Town Hall
Melbourne Town Hall is the central municipal building of the City of Melbourne, Australia, in the State of Victoria. It is located on the northeast corner of Swanston and Collins Streets, in the central business district. It is the seat of the Local Government Area of the City of Melbourne...
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.
The first division of the St John Ambulance Brigade (now known as first aid services/operations branch) was established in Glebe, New South Wales
Glebe, New South Wales
Glebe is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Glebe is located 3 km south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region....
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.
In 2005, it was decided that the organisation would adopt a corporate structure with closer relationships between the branches of St John, known as 'One St John'.
Structure of St John
The national board oversees St John in the whole of Australia. The organisation is then 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 several main areas of activity:
Volunteer First Aid Service (Also known as Operations Branch):
St John provides volunteer first aid services at events and emergencies. First Aid Services is divided into states, regions and divisions, headed nationally by Chief Commissioner Prof Paul Arbon AM CStJ.
Events covered by St. John Australia include sports, such as the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games where a team of 5000 members treated over 3000 casualties, concerts and community events.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
is the among the safest places in the world to suffer a heart attack owing to the extent of the pre-hospital care provided primary by St. John Volunteers at the venue.
St John volunteers support state emergency management and disaster plans in some states.
Training:
St John is the largest first aid training organisation in Australia. Apart from its flagship Senior First Aid course, St John also offer instruction in advanced topics such as ALS (Advanced Life Support), which includes Advanced Resuscitation, AED (Automated External Defibrillation) and analgesic administration (including entinox gas and methoxyflurane analgesics).
Ophthalmic Care:
St John Ambulance Australia raises funds and recruits staff for the St John Ophthalmic Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. Funds are raised through public donation, 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.
Ambulance Service:
In Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
and the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
St John Ambulance provides the statutory ambulance service. 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.
Cadet Ranks
| Rank | Notes |
|---|---|
| Junior | Aged 8–12 |
| Cadet | Aged 11–15, has Level 1 First Aid Qualification |
| Cadet Corporal | Ibid. |
| Senior Cadet | Aged 14–18, has Level 2 First Aid Qualification |
| Senior Cadet Corporal | Ibid. |
| Senior Cadet Sergeant | Ibid. |
| Cadet Leader ^ | Aged 18–25 |
^ Cadet Leaders are adult members who have undertaken a specific leadership course and are ranked above cadets but below all adult ranks
Adult Ranks
| Rank | Equivalent Australian Army Australian Army The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army... Rank |
|---|---|
| Private | Private |
| Corporal | Corporal |
| Sergeant | Sergeant |
| Officer Grade 6 | Second Lieutenant |
| Officer Grade 5 | First Lieutenant |
| Officer Grade 4 | Captain |
| Officer Grade 3 | Major |
| Officer Grade 2 | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Officer Grade 1 | Colonel |
| State Commissioner | Brigadier |
| National Officer Grade 3 | Brigadier-General |
| National Officer Grade 2 | Major-General |
| National Officer Grade 1 | Lieutenant-General |
- N.B. Each adult rank of officer may hold specific titles within a division, region, state/territory or national headquarters, such as Divisional Superintendent or Chief Officer Cadets.
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 WalesNew South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Greater Dandenong Division in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
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
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
Royal Easter Show
Royal Easter Show may refer to:* Sydney Royal Easter Show* Auckland Royal Easter Show...
(NSW), National Folk Festival
National Folk Festival
The National Folk Festival is the name of several festivals that celebrate the folk music of a particular nation.*The Touring National Folk Festival in the US National Folk Festival...
(ACT), AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Games (All AFL states), NRL, Super 12, and Rugby Union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
games, amongst other popular events. 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.
Criticisms
In July 2009, the ABC's Four Corners broadcast a report identifying failures in St John's call-out system in Western Australia, where St. John run the ambulance service, specifically the failure of call centre operators to appropriately prioritise and respond ambulances. The program identified four deaths in which dispatch and prioritisation errors were involved. The WA Health Minister, Dr Kim Hames, has since promised to review "reports of significant wrongdoing, and see if it is correct" in order to prevent recurrence of such events.States and Territories of Operation
- St John Ambulance Australia Western Australia
- St John Ambulance Australia Northern Australia
- St John Ambulance Australia Australian Capital Territory
- St John Ambulance Australia New South WalesSt John Ambulance Australia New South WalesSt John Ambulance Australia is a self-funding charitable organisation dedicated to helping people in sickness, distress, suffering or danger...
- St John Ambulance Australia South Australia
- St John Ambulance Australia Northern Territory
- St John Ambulance Australia Tasmania
- St John Ambulance Australia Queensland
- St John Ambulance Australia Victoria
Trivia
- St John Ambulance (NSW) turned 125 years old in 2008. New South Wales has also provided support to World Youth Week, dispatching more volunteers than needed for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
- St John Ambulance (VIC) treated over 3000 casualties at the 2009 Australian Open (tennis) at Melbourne Park
See also
- St. John AmbulanceSt. John AmbulanceSt 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...
- Venerable Order of Saint JohnVenerable Order of Saint JohnThe 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...
- Insignia of the Venerable Order of St John
- 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...
- St John Ambulance Glebe Divisional Blog