St. John Ambulance in Hong Kong

Background
Hong Kong St. John Ambulance is a charitable organization with a long history stretching back over a century and has been serving the community since 1884. In Hong Kong, the St. John Ambulance Association was established in 1884, followed by the Ambulance Brigade in 1916 and the Council in 1949. Adhered to its motto, "For the Service of Mankind", the organisation is dedicated to provide First aid and ambulance services in emergency, dental care for the handicapped, and courses of instructions on First Aid and Home Nursing for the general public.

Since its establishment, St. John in Hong Kong has been operating under the Order of St. John Ordinance Chapter 1047 in the laws of Hong Kong, and in accordance with the regulations given by St. John Headquarters in London with her Majesty the Queen as the Sovereign Head of the Order.

To facilitate a smooth transition for the services and operation of the St. John Council for Hong Kong after the sovereignty change over in1997 and to enable St. John in Hong Kong to exist as an independent organization free from the direction of the Order of St. John in United Kingdom, except for a fraternal relationship, a new Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Incorporation Ordinance (Chapter 1164) was enacted by the Legislative Council on 27 June, 1997. Under the new Ordinance, the old Council, the Association and the Brigade are now incorporated as a body corporate and have the new corporate name of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance, while the nature of the works of St. John remains unchanged.

Hong Kong St. John Ambulance has been serving the community since 1884. It is dedicated to provide first aid and ambulance services in emergency, dental care for the handicapped, and courses of instructions on first aid and home nursing for the general public.

After the handover in 1997, the organisation answers directly to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. As from 2005, the Chief Executive is Donald Tsang. The organisation has since been running on an independent basis from the UK.

The Hong Kong Island Headquarters is at 2 Macdonnell Road, which has been reconstructed to accommodate a hotel to guarantee a financial income.

The Kowloon headquarters is located next to Kowloon Hospital, and to date has a footdrill ground and simple classrooms for activities.

The New Territories' headquarters is located in Sheung Shui.

Organization
The Council is the governing body of the organization, responsible for policy making, fund raising, allocation of resources, and providing support and co-ordination of the functions of the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade.

St. John Ambulance Association is responsible for training members of the public in the principle and the practice of First Aid, Home Nursing and other allied subjects, together with publication of textbooks to facilitate such instruction. It also organizes examinations and issues certificates of proficiency to successful candidates. Modest fees are charged for courses and examinations.

St. John Ambulance Brigade, the service arm of St. John, is responsible for the organization, training and equipment of men, women and young persons to undertake, on a voluntary basis, either as individuals or as organized groups, First Aid, Home Nursing and allied activities in public places, or elsewhere as occasions may require, for welfare to those in need. The service is free.

Under the leadership of the Commissioner, the Brigade has a strength of over 5,600 volunteers who are trained to be efficient and competent at all times to perform public duties in the following aspects:
 * Ambulance services
 * first aid service
 * dental care for the handicapped
 * cadet service

Cadet Command
The Cadet Command of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade was established in 1948. It's objective is to train teenagers (aged 12 to 18) in First Aid, Home Nursing, and encourage them to develop their interest in social and practical skills such as Road & Home Safety, Community Care, etc. which are conductive to their development to becoming good citizens. It is hoped, too, that the Cadet Region will lay the foundation for membership of the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the Brigade.

At present, all Cadet Divisions are established in secondary schools.

The Cadet activities are multifarious. Cadets will participate in Leadership Training Programmes and receive training in other proficiency subjects such as Fire Fighting, Canoeing, Camping, Life-Saving, Rock Climbing, Map Reading, Cookery, etc.


 * Cadet Command

Controversies
The uniform of the Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Cadets is still made of thick material similar to the historical British counterpart, and includes a jacket designed to withstand temperatures at around 5°C in its winter uniform. This may be deemed unsuitable for Hong Kong's sub-tropical climate, where winter temperatures rarely fall below 10°C, sometimes going up above 20, and summer temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C.

Other links

 * St. John Ambulance