St. John Ambulance in Singapore

St John Ambulance Singapore is a voluntary organisation in Singapore which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. Its members also perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events.

The headquarters is located at 420 Beach Road. It was opened on July 23 1960 by the late President of Singapore, Yusof bin Ishak.

History of St John Ambulance in Singapore

 * 1935 Dr J.S. Webster, O.St.J. started to organise First Aid lectures in Singapore.
 * September 1938 The first uniformed division of the Brigade was formed.
 * 1952 The first St. John Council was formed.
 * 1978 The Brigade was reorganised and upgraded to National Headquarters status, with 4 Districts and 10 Areas.
 * 1996 The Brigade was once again restructured to simply consist of 10 Zones.
 * 2005 Current Chief Commissioner, Dr Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J., takes office.

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Structure
The St John Ambulance Singapore comes under the command of the National St John Council with the following appointments:

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:

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 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. Currently, the various schools under the 10 Zones are as follows:

Zone 1 (Zone Commissioner: Ms Nancy Low Bee Lian, CMSJ) Zone 2 (Zone Commissioner: Mr David Cheng, S.B.St.J.)  Zone 3 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Derek Tan, CMSJ)  Zone 4 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Koh Siak Hong, PK, S.B.St.J.) Zone 5 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Frederick Lim Yew Soon) Zone 6 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Lee, S.B.St.J.) Zone 7 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Kuo Keng Huat, S.B.St.J.) Zone 8 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Kwa Chee Kien)  Zone 9 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Yong Cheng Thye, S.B.St.J.) Zone 10 (Zone Commissioner: Ms Wendy Neo Lay Cheng, S.S.St.J.)
 * Bishan Park Sec Sch
 * Kuo Chuan Prebyeterian Sec Sch
 * Peirce Sec Sch
 * Ping Yi Sec Sch
 * St Hilda's Sec Sch
 * CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls School
 * St Patrick's Sec Sch
 * Northview Sec Sch
 * Pasir Ris Crest Sec Sch
 * Bedok Green Sec Sch
 * Anglican High Sch
 * Bedok North Sec Sch
 * Bedok View Sec Sch
 * Changkat Changi Sec Sch
 * Loyang Sec Sch
 * Springfield Sec Sch
 * Telok Kurau Sec Sch
 * Temasek Sec Sch
 * Yuying Sec Sch
 * Junyuan Sec Sch
 * East Spring Sec Sch
 * Anderson Sec Sch
 * Deyi Sec Sch
 * First Toa Payoh Sec Sch
 * MacPherson Sec Sch
 * Marsiling Pri Sch
 * Mayflower Sec Sch
 * St Anthony's Canossian Sec Sch
 * St. Joseph's Institution
 * Yishun Town Sec Sch
 * Northland Sec Sch
 * North View PS Badger Unit
 * 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
 * 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 Combined Adult
 * Bukit Merah Sec Sch
 * Bukit Panjang Govt. High School
 * Chestnut Drive Sec Sch
 * Fajar Sec Sch
 * Fuchun Sec Sch
 * GreenRidge Sec Sch
 * Yishun Sec Sch
 * Riverside Sec Sch
 * Siling Sec Sch
 * Teck Whye Sec Sch
 * Woodlands Sec Sch
 * Yusof Ishak Sec Sch
 * Woodlands Ring Sec Sch
 * Woodlands Ring PS Badger
 * NUS High School
 * Assumption Vocational Institute
 * Balestier Hill Sec Sch
 * Ahmad Ibrahim Sec Sch
 * Hwa Chong Institution (High School)
 * Henderson Sec Sch
 * Nan Hua Sec Sch
 * Naval Base Sec Sch
 * Tanglin Sec Sch
 * North Vista Sec Sch
 * Xinmin Sec Sch
 * Bedok South Sec Sch
 * Chung Cheng High Sch (Main)
 * Dunman High Sch
 * East View Sec Sch
 * Greenview Sec Sch
 * Peicai Sec Sch
 * Pei Chun Badger Unit
 * Presbyterian High Sch
 * Tampines Sec Sch
 * Boon Lay Sec Sch
 * Bukit Batok Sec Sch
 * Bukit View Sec Sch
 * Clementi Town Sec Sch
 * Clementi Woods Sec Sch
 * Golden Mile Adult Corps
 * ITE(East) Bedok
 * Jurong Town Adult Corps
 * Jurongville Sec Sch
 * River Valley High Sch
 * Yuan Ching Sec Sch
 * Nan Hua PS Badger Unit
 * Yumin PS Badger Unit
 * Geylang Serai VTC (to be renamed as Northlight School)
 * Chong Fu PS Badger Unit
 * Damai Sec Sch
 * Gan Eng Seng Sec Sch
 * Hai Sing Catholic Sch
 * Holy Innocents' High Sch
 * Maris Stella High Sch
 * Catholic High Sch
 * Kranji Sec Sch
 * Gan Eng Seng Pri Sch 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. 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.

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.

Past Champions

2007 Annual Inter-Zone First Aid & Home Nursing Competition

Ambulance Adult Champion: Hwa Chong Institution (High School) (Zone 7)

Ambulance Adult Runners Up: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4)

Ambulance Cadet Champion: Anglican High School (Zone 2)

Ambulance Cadet Runners Up: Hwa Chong Institution (High School) (Zone 7)

Nursing Adult Champion: Anglican High School (Zone 2)

Nursing Adult Runners Up: Hai Sing Catholic School (Zone 10)

Nursing Cadet Champion: Anglican High School (Zone 2)

Nursing Cadet Runners Up: Pierce Secondary School (Zone 1)

2007 Zone 1

Nursing Adult: CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls School

2007 Zone 2

Nursing Adult: Anglican High School

Nursing Cadet: Anglican High School

Ambulance Cadet: Anglican High School

Ambulance Adult: Anglican High School

2007 Zone 3

Nursing Adult: MacPherson Secondary School

Nursing Cadet: MacPherson Secondary School

Ambulance Cadet: Anderson Secondary School

Ambulance Adult: St. Joseph Institution

2007 Zone 4

Ambulance Cadet: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Ambulance Adult: Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

2007 Zone 5

Ambulance Cadet: Zhonghua sec.

Nursing Cadet: Zhonghua sec

2007 Zone 7

Ambulance Cadet: Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

Ambulance Adult: Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

Nursing Cadet: Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School

Nursing Adult: Nan Hua High School (later transferred participation rights in Inter-Zone competition to Xinmin Secondary School)

2007 Zone 8

Ambulance Cadet: Dunman High School

Ambulance Adult: Dunman High School

Nursing Cadet: East View Secondary School

Nursing Adult: Dunman High School

2007 Zone 10

Nursing Adult: Hai Sing Catholic School

Nursing Cadet: Hai Sing Catholic School

Ambulance Cadet: Hai Sing Catholic School

Ambulance Adult: Maris Stella High School

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 crest. 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 are to be worn all the way up for Ambulance members, and 3cm from the ankle for Nursing members. The toe caps, sides and back of the leather boots are usually expected to be polished and brushed shine.

Officers and Sergeants-Major have altogether 4 different uniforms: - 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) - Peaked cap or round hat with Officer Cap Badge - Same uniform as for members except that collar badges and Officer shoulder flash are worn. - Beret with Officer cap badge. - No headdress is worn. - A wing-collared shirt with maroon bow-tie for the men. - Tuxedo jacket with miniature medals and rank insignias is worn. - For the men, a long-sleeved version of the safari jacket which is meant to be worn on top of a shirt and tie. - For the ladies, a long sleeved version of the safari uniform. - Senior lady officers also have a gray dress but this uniform is seldom seen nowadays.
 * the Safari Uniform
 * the Duty (Field) Uniform
 * the Mess Kit (for dining-in)
 * the No.1 Dress (ceremonial uniform)

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 patches.

Ranks
Throughout their secondary education, cadets are awarded ranks as follows:
 * Cadet (Private)
 * Lance-Corporal
 * Corporal
 * Sergeant
 * Staff Sergeant
 * Cadet Leader (in some schools only)

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 4 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.)
 * 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.

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: - Youth 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: - Passed a minimum of 4 subjects before transfer - 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: - Passed a minimum of 4 subjects before transfer - Must not be above 20 years of age on the date of qualifying for the badge

Cadets may start working for these badges the moment they are enrolled as members of the St John Ambulance Brigade. They are encouraged to make personal progress with additional courses over and above subjects that are taught during the weekly training/meetings so as to achieve the Commissioner's Badge and subsequently the Chief Commissioner's 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.

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 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.), note that this does not entitle the holder to Sir 

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.

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.

Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

 * Dr D.P.McIntyre ( - )
 * Dr P.C. Kwan ( - )
 * Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, C.St.J. (July 1970 - 1978)

Chief Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

 * Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, PBM, 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 - )

Controversies
There are sometimes miscommunication and lack of understanding of matters that have resulted in disputes; for example in the area of Public Duties and allocation of ambulances.

See external link 2 for more details. However, the incident reported in the link is disputed as it appears to be a 3rd party account, and no further details is given by the author. As such, its factuality can be disputed.