St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland

General Introduction

The St. John Ambulance Brigade is a world-wide voluntary first-aid organisation, whose origins date back to the time of the Crusades but it was not until 1934 that the Brigade was founded in Cork.

Aims & Objectives

1. To afford holders of first-aid certificates the opportunity of meeting together for training so as to enable them to render first-aid to the sick and injured on public and other such occasions.
2. To prepare and maintain such permanent organisation as may readily be available in times of emergency.

Programmes

The Brigade locally consists of three Divisions, Adult, Boys and Girls all of whom meet once a week. During these sessions members are trained in the different aspects of first-aid, including C.P.R. and also in caring for the sick. Competitions are held regularly in Cork, Dublin and Limerick which provide the members an opportunity to train on simulated casualties. The members then put these into practice every time they go on public duty. In 1994 the Brigade carried out about 450 public duties with ambulances supplied at 125 of them.

The Brigade is also to the forefront in the provision of education in first-aid, not only for the general public at their headquarters, but also companies, schools, etc.

Volunteer Profile

The Adults are aged from 17 years upwards and meet on Thursday nights from 8pm to 10pm.

The boys are aged from 11 to 17 and meet on Saturdays from 7.30pm to 9pm.

The girls are aged from 11 to 17 and meet on Mondays from 7.30pm to 9pm.

New volunteers are always welcome.

Last Updated, October 29, 1998