St John Ambulance is the name of several affiliated organizations in different countries which teach and provide first aid and emergency medical services and are primarily staffed by volunteers. The associations are overseen by the International Order of St John and its priories (national branches).

Ambulance Saint-Jean, ou ASJ (en anglais: St. John Ambulance (SJA)), est une organisation sans but lucratif (OSBL) internationale. Sa mission est d'aider le public à améliorer sa santé, sa sécurité et sa qualité de vie à travers la formation et l'engagement communautaire.

Ambulance Saint-Jean est surtout présent au Royaume-Uni et dans les anciennes colonies britanniques, notamment le Canada, l'Australie, la Nouvelle-Zélande, l'Irlande, la Malaisie, Singapour et Hong Kong.

C'est au Canada, dans la province de Québec, qu'on retrouve la plus grande concentration de bénévoles francophones. Le Québec compte 1800 bénévoles, sur un total de 25 000 à l'échelle du pays.

Ambulance Saint-Jean tire ses origines dans l'ordre souverain militaire hospitalier de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem, de Rhodes et de Malte. Elle a été fondée en 1877. 

The first such organization was the St John Ambulance Association, founded in 1877 in England. Its first uniformed first-aiders were founded in 1887 as the St John Ambulance Brigade. These two have since been merged into a single association. St John Ambulance now has over 40 national organizations, many affiliated with Johanniter International, and over 500,000 volunteers worldwide.

The Order of St John owns the brand name in most countries (with the notable exception of India, which has a St John Ambulance organization unconnected to the international movement). Logos vary in different countries but always contain the eight-pointed white Maltese cross as the essential identifier. Like the Order, St John Ambulance associations accept members of all religions. Their geographic organization differs from the Order, and they have to contend with countries' different national laws, medical practices and cultures. As a result, the role and organization of St John Ambulance vary by country.

The legal status of each organization varies by country, province, state, county, territory and municipality. In both England and Wales, the resident St John Ambulance organizations are simultaneously but separately registered as charities and companies. In contrast, St John Ambulance South Africa (for example) is a distinct entity registered as a "public benefit organization."

The presence of St John Ambulance is different among countries:

Australia, British Armed Forces, Canada, Cyprus, England, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, India, and Ireland. Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Wales, Zimbabwe

St John Ambulance were traditionally organized with military-style ranks. Some associations have replaced these with civilian titles (e.g. Unit Manager, Superintendent).

Key dates England

• 1540: The original Order of St John, the Knights Hospitallers is disbanded in England by Henry VIII

• 1826: An idea to re-establish the Order within England is put forward by some remaining French Knights of the original worldwide Order

• 1841: The "St John's Day Declaration" is prepared to seek official recognition of the new Order by the original Order, now known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta

• 10 July 1877: St John Ambulance Association forms to teach first-aid in large railway centres and mining districts

• June 1887: St John Ambulance Brigade is formed

• 14 May 1888: English Order of St John is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria

• 1908: By reciprocal agreement, St John Ambulance Brigade ceases to operate in Scotland and St Andrew's Ambulance Association ceases to operate in England

• March 1922: St John Ambulance Cadets is formed

• 1968: The Association and Brigade merge to form a unified St John Ambulance

• January 1987: Badger Setts are introduced to celebrate 100 years since the formation of the Brigade

• 1999: The Priory of England and the Islands is formed

• 2012: St John Ambulance changes its county structure to a regionalized model across England

• 2017–2018: Celebration of the organization's 140th anniversary

The Order of Saint John, formally the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, is an international order of chivalry headquartered in the United Kingdom. The Order founded the St John Ambulance associations and oversees their work. They also own the St John name and brand rights, including the Maltese Cross logo. The Order also oversees the St John Eye Hospital Group, separate from the ambulance associations. Most members of St John Ambulance are not themselves members of the Order, and vice versa, so a significant presence of the Order does not dictate a major presence of St John Ambulance.

hospital-of-st-john-of-jerusalem

Key dates

• 10 July 1877: St John Ambulance Association formed to teach first-aid in large railway centres and mining districts.

• June 1887: St John Ambulance Brigade is formed as a uniformed organization to provide First Aid and Ambulance services at public events.

• 14 May 1888: British Order of St John is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria.

• 1908: By mutual agreement with St Andrew's Ambulance Association, St John Ambulance Association ceased operating in Scotland but the Order continued to operate.

• 1974 The St John Ambulance Association and The St John Ambulance Brigade amalgamated to form the present St John Ambulance Foundation

• 1999: The Order of St John celebrated its 90th anniversary worldwide.

GATINEAU QUEBEC

St. John Ambulance in Canada, or SJA (French: Ambulance Saint-Jean Canada (ASJ), 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 (1985). Each Council is governed by a Board of Directors under Provincial or Territorial incorporating legislation with the St John Ambulance Priory in Canada, incorporated under the federal Canada Not For Profit Corporations Act (2012). The Priory provides support services to the Councils and manages the Order of St. John in Canada. The Councils deliver the training and community services mandate and are responsible for their governance, operations, and management.

The mission of St. John Ambulance in Canada is to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety, and quality of life through training and community service. St John Ambulance in Canada has (collectively) close to 25,000 members in communities across Canada - over 3,500 instructors, over 19,000 volunteers and over 7,000 members of the Order of St John.

St. John Ambulance was established in Canada in 1883. Under this banner, volunteers from coast to coast carry out the humanitarian services of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

• 1882: The first aid course in Canada was conducted in Quebec City.

• 1892 - 1898: Training centres were founded in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

• 1907 - October 12th marks the opening of the first St. John Ambulance training centre for first aid in Vancouver, BC, in conjunction with CPR (Canadian Pacific Rail).

• 1909, the First Canadian Ambulance Division (No. 1 Forest City) was formed in London, ON.

• 1911 - June 24th marks the founding of the British Columbia Council of St. John Ambulance Canada

• 1912, the First Canadian Nursing Division (No. 1 Central) was formed in Toronto, ON.

• 1920s St. John Councils work closely with the Workmen's Compensation Boards throughout Canada to establish safety standards in the workplace

• 1933 First two Cadet divisions are formed in Manitoba (52c, Seven Oaks) and Ontario (47c, Timmins).

• In 1935, the First Cadet Nursing Division (18c, Vancouver Central) was formed in Vancouver, BC.

• 1939-45 St. John Ambulance Nursing units from each Council are deployed in the European theatre of war, working closely with the Canadian Army in field hospitals and institutional settings.

• 1946 Canadian Order elevated to the status of Priory, becoming Priory of Canada

• In 1951, the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) and St John Ambulance in Canada signed the St. John Ambulance-Canadian Red Cross Joint Operations Agreement in which SJAC recedes from offering blood services and the CRC recedes from offering First Aid training to industry.

• In 1972, the Northwest Territories became a Territorial Council and ran the Air Ambulance Service in the Mackenzie Delta on behalf of the GNWT.

• 1973 St. John Ambulance in Canada modernizes its teaching methodology by instituting the multi-media approach to training and dispensing with the lecture method. WCBs in Canada continue to partner with St John Ambulance throughout Canada.

• 1977 CRC begins offering First Aid training to industry, setting aside the 1951 agreement on Joint Operations with St. John Ambulance in Canada

• 1996 Yukon becomes a Branch of the British Columbia Council

• 1999 SJAC celebrated the 900th anniversary of the Order of St. John and the Alliance Orders of St. John worldwide.

• 2006 Prince Edward Island Council merges with Nova Scotia Council to become the NS/PEI Council

• 2008 St. John Ambulance Canada celebrates its 125th anniversary, marking the first "first aid" course given in Canada, in Quebec City in 1883.

• 2009 The 125th anniversary of the inaugural St. John Ambulance first aid course conducted in Ontario at the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. According to a plaque at RMC, this course, conducted for the benefit of gentlemen cadets and staff, initiated a close and continuous association between St. John Ambulance and the Canadian Forces.

On 3 January 1982, Canada Post issued 'St. John Ambulance, 1883-1983' designed by Louis Fishauf. The 32¢ stamps are perforated 13.5 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited. In 2008, Canada Post issued a similar envelope/stamp in recognition of the 125th Anniversary of SJAC.

Training

Led by a highly skilled network of medical and health care professionals. St. John Ambulance in Canada is a recognized leader in first aid and CPR training and community services, working with other organizations to set the standards for training in first aid, CPR, and other life-saving skills. St. John Ambulance in Canada also offers advanced courses in several provinces, including the Medical First Responder (MFR) and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR).

Medical First Response Services

A St John Ambulance in York Region, Ontario

The Medical First Response Services were formerly known as the St. John Ambulance Brigade and are often still referred to as such, both within the organization and by others. Each MFRS unit is a group of trained volunteers who serve within their community in various ways. Services include first aid services at public events, Medical Services 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 like in England. Members in Canada wear a similar uniform and are trained in the new Medical First Responder (MFR) program. In Nova Scotia, the volunteers no longer use the term "Brigade" or "Ambulance". They are now called "St John Volunteer Medical Response." This change reflected better what the volunteers could offer their communities.

Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, and British Columbia are the only provinces still wearing their full uniform. In Ontario, the operational (duty) uniform consists of a pair of black cargo pants (or tactical pants), a button-up black shirt (with 'Medical First Responder' reflective on the back) or a Polo shirt. Both sleeves will be marked with "Medical First Response" and "St. John Ambulance Volunteer" crests. Members in training or working towards their MFR qualification will wear a white shirt with "St John Ambulance Volunteer" crests on both sleeves, a black polo shirt, or an unmarked white dress shirt for probationary observers. I just wanted to note that probationary observers already have a minimum of standard first aid training plus police security clearance. Rankings are marked on epaulettes. A black wool sweater and a black tie are also worn for ceremonial, winter or certain indoor functions. A SJA hat/ cap may be worn at outdoor events for headdresses. A beret/ peak cap is worn for ceremonial or winter functions. Footwear consists of a pair of black boots/ shoes. Just to let you know, Officers (with ranks of 1 pips and above) are also entitled to wear their ceremonial (No. 1) uniforms. The uniform consists of an officer's cap, a white shirt with a tie, a tunic with metal buttons, pins, rank pips, full medals, a pair of black pants or skirts, and black dress shoes.

St John Ambulance Councils no longer offer Air and Ground Ambulance Services in Canada. New Brunswick and Northwest Territoires Councils once offered such services.

Ayant pour mission d'informer le public afin de donner aux gens les outils pour sauver des vies, Ambulance Saint-Jean offre diverses formations en secourisme et en premiers soins. Ces formations, offertes à un prix modique, constituent, avec les dons de charité, l'une des principales sources de financement des autres activités de bienfaisance de l'organisme. 

Anciennement connus sous le nom de «Brigade», les Services à la collectivité d'Ambulance Saint-Jean rassemblent l'ensemble des opérations des premiers répondants bénévoles, secouristes et intervenant médicaux d'urgence.

Au Canada, ils sont au nombre de 25 000, dont 1800 au Québec.

C'est à Peterborough (Ontario) que le programme de thérapie par les chiens d'ASJ vit le jour. Aujourd'hui, les maîtres-chiens bénévoles sont présents dans les hôpitaux, les unités de soins palliatifs, les hôpitaux psychiatriques, les garderies, les résidences pour aînés, dans les maisons de repos et même dans les écoles. Les bienfaits de la thérapie assistée par les animaux sont multiples; il fut prouvé qu'elle pouvait notamment faire diminuer la pression sanguine et le rythme cardiaque de certains patients, de même qu'une possible amélioration des interactions sociales 

RANKS

Therapy Dog

The SJA Therapy Dog Program began in 1992 in Peterborough, Ontario and has expanded nationwide. Partnerships have been established in hospitals, palliative care units, daycare centres, senior residences, rest homes, special needs schools, psychiatric hospitals where people are often restricted from having pets and the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Therapy Dog program sees a volunteer and their dog visit an institution, often every week. Before beginning, the handler and their dog undergo extensive testing to ensure the animal has the right temperament for the program. Animal-assisted therapy has many benefits, including decreased blood pressure and heart rate in patients and a chance for positive social interaction.

Disaster planning and aid

In times of emergency, SJAC can be placed on standby, waiting to provide disaster relief and emergency services to the affected area. Exactly what procedures are taken dramatically depends on local Disaster Management planners. However, the government of Canada has officially recognized the role SJAC fills in the process. Supplies and equipment may vary, as well as the number of personnel immediately available in the area. Still, 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. This program is under review in New Brunswick as such a program has yet to be established in most cities in the province.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_Ambulance_Canada 

About the Good Samaritan / à propos du Bon Samaritain

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement & Order of Malta