Hong Kong St. John Ambulance
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
, the St. John Ambulance Association was established in 1884, followed by the Ambulance Brigade in 1916 and the Council in 1949.
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 in 1997 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.
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.
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:
, Home Nursing
, and encourage them to develop their interest in social and practical skills such as Road and Home Safety, Community Care, etc. which are conductive to their development to becoming good citizens. It is hoped, too, that the Cadet Command 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 Region has been reformed as Cadet Command on 1 May 2007.
The Cadet Command is under the overall management of an Assistant Commissioner with four Chief Superintendents, who are looking after the four regions, namely Administrative Region, Region A, Region B and Region C.
There are three Cadet Corps in each of the Region A, B and C.
Region A No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Central Western Hong Kong Island.
Region A No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Central Eastern Hong Kong Island.
Region A No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon East and Tseung Kwan O.
Region B No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon Central.
Region B No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon Central & West.
Region B No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District.
Region C No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Shatin.
Region C No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Tuen Mun.
Region C No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Yuen Long and New Territories North.
As at 1 April 2011, there are 77 cadet divisions in 72 secondary schools.
, which has been reconstructed to accommodate a hotel to guarantee a financial income.
The Hong Kong Island
Command heaquarters is at Tai Hang Road
in a historical building built in 1935, overlooking the Central Library
and Victoria Park
. It is also an ambulance depot for the Brigade.
The Kowloon
and New Territories Command headquarters is located next to Kowloon Hospital
, and to date has a footdrill ground and simple classrooms for activities. The Kowloon ambulance depot is not too far away at the Princess Road.
The New Territories
' headquarters is located in Sheung Shui
, mainly as an ambulance depot.
First aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
and ambulance services in emergency, dental care
Dentistry
Dentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
for the handicapped
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
, and courses of instructions on first aid and home nursing for the general public.
History
In Hong KongHong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, the St. John Ambulance Association was established in 1884, followed by the Ambulance Brigade in 1916 and the Council in 1949.
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 in 1997 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.
After the handover in 1997
Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, referred to as ‘the Return’ or ‘the Reunification’ by the Chinese and ‘the Handover’ by others, took place on 1 July 1997...
, the organisation answers directly to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong is the President of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The position was created to replace the Governor of Hong Kong, who was the head of the Hong Kong government during British rule...
. As from 2005, the Chief Executive is Donald Tsang
Donald Tsang
Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, GBM, KBE is the current Chief Executive and President of the Executive Council of the Government of Hong Kong....
. The organisation has since been running on an independent basis from the UK.
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 servicesAmbulanceAn ambulance is a vehicle for transportation of sick or injured people to, from or between places of treatment for an illness or injury, and in some instances will also provide out of hospital medical care to the patient...
- first aid serviceFirst aidFirst aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
- dental careDentistryDentistry is the branch of medicine that is involved in the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the human body. Dentistry is widely considered...
for the handicappedDisabilityA disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped... - cadet serviceCadetA cadet is a trainee to become an officer in the military, often a person who is a junior trainee. The term comes from the term "cadet" for younger sons of a noble family.- Military context :...
Cadet Command
The Cadet Command of Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade was established in 1948. Its objective is to train teenagers (aged 12 to 18) in First AidFirst aid
First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...
, Home Nursing
Nursing
Nursing is a healthcare profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life from conception to death....
, and encourage them to develop their interest in social and practical skills such as Road and Home Safety, Community Care, etc. which are conductive to their development to becoming good citizens. It is hoped, too, that the Cadet Command 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
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, Camping
Camping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, Life Saving, Rock Climbing
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, Map Reading, Cookery, etc.
Cadet Region has been reformed as Cadet Command on 1 May 2007.
Basic Structure
Commander: Dr. John FENN OStJ, Assistant CommissionerThe Cadet Command is under the overall management of an Assistant Commissioner with four Chief Superintendents, who are looking after the four regions, namely Administrative Region, Region A, Region B and Region C.
There are three Cadet Corps in each of the Region A, B and C.
Region A No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Central Western Hong Kong Island.
Region A No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Central Eastern Hong Kong Island.
Region A No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon East and Tseung Kwan O.
Region B No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon Central.
Region B No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Kowloon Central & West.
Region B No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District.
Region C No.1 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Shatin.
Region C No.2 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Tuen Mun.
Region C No.3 Cadet Corps includes divisions in Yuen Long and New Territories North.
As at 1 April 2011, there are 77 cadet divisions in 72 secondary schools.
Facilities locations
The St. John Ambulance Headquarters is at 2 Macdonnell RoadMacDonnell Road
MacDonnell Road, is a road in the affluent and ultra-expensive Mid-Levels district on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. MacDonnell Road is named after former Hong Kong Governor Richard Graves MacDonnell. Starting from Garden Road, the road runs westward in the Mid-Levels and ends in Kennedy Road.The...
, which has been reconstructed to accommodate a hotel to guarantee a financial income.
The Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
Command heaquarters is at Tai Hang Road
Tai Hang Road
Tai Hang Road is a major road on the north side of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. Starting low from Tai Hang at Tung Lo Wan Road, Causeway Bay, it winds up to So Kon Po and further up to the mid-levels of Jardine's Lookout and Mount Nicholson, passing through Wong Nai Chung Gap...
in a historical building built in 1935, overlooking the Central Library
Hong Kong Central Library
Hong Kong Central Library is the main library of Hong Kong. It is located at the intersection of Moreton Terrace and Causeway Road in Causeway Bay....
and Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Hong Kong
Victoria Park is a public park in Hong Kong, named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. It is located in Causeway Bay, on the north of Hong Kong Island, between Causeway Bay and Tin Hau MTR stations...
. It is also an ambulance depot for the Brigade.
The Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
and New Territories Command headquarters is located next to Kowloon Hospital
Kowloon Hospital
Kowloon Hospital is a general care hospital at Prince Edward Road in Mong Kok of Kowloon in Hong KongThe hospital used to be an acute hospital with accident and emergency service. It was later converted to a chronic hospital to provide extended supportive care to patients from Queen Elizabeth...
, and to date has a footdrill ground and simple classrooms for activities. The Kowloon ambulance depot is not too far away at the Princess Road.
The New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
' headquarters is located in Sheung Shui
Sheung Shui
Sheung Shui is an area in New Territories, Hong Kong. Sheung Shui Town, a part of this area, is part of the Fanling-Sheung Shui New Town in the North District of Hong Kong. Fanling Town is to its southeast.-History:...
, mainly as an ambulance depot.
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.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...
- 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...
- Insignia of the Venerable Order of St John