St. John Ambulance in Singapore: Information from Answers.com

St. John Ambulance, Singapore
Active	1935 - Present
Role	Volunteer Youth Organisation
Headquarters	420 Beach Road
Motto	Pro Utilitate Hominum (For The Service of Mankind)
Commanders
Council Chairman	Mr. Lim Chye Huat Bobby, PBM, C.St.J.
Director, SJA Assocation	Dr. Teh Peng Hooi, C.St.J.
Chief Commissioner, SJA Brigade	Dr. Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J

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 Yang di-Pertuan Negara (and subsequently President of Singapore), En. Yusof bin Ishak.

History of St John Ambulance in Singapore

St. John Ambulance Headquarters 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 The Brigade and 10 Zones were presented with their Colours by His Excellency The President of the Republic of Singapore, Mr. S.R. Nathan.
2005 Current Chief Commissioner, Dr Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J., takes office.

Structure

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

Appointment	Incumbent
Council Chairman	Mr Bobby Lim Chye Huat, PBM, C.St.J.
Vice-Chairman	Dr. Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J.
Vice-Chairman	Dr. Teh Peng Hooi, C.St.J.

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:

Appointment	Incumbent
Chief Commissioner	Dr Chen Sze Hua, C.St.J.
Acting Chief Surgeon	Dr Christopher Goh Hood Keng, S.B.St.J.
Acting Chief Superintendent (N)	Mrs Yang-Ho Ah Pong, PBS, O.St.J.

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

SJAB Singapore cadets on parade

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)

Bishan Park Sec Sch
Peirce Sec Sch
CHIJ St Nicholas' Girls School
Northview Sec Sch
Pasir Ris Crest Sec Sch
Bedok Green Sec Sch

Zone 2 (Zone Commissioner: Mr David Cheng, S.B.St.J.)

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

Zone 3 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Derek Tan)

Anderson Sec Sch
Deyi Sec Sch
First Toa Payoh Sec Sch
Mayflower Sec Sch
St Anthony's Canossian Sec Sch
St. Joseph's Institution
Yishun Town Sec Sch
Northland Sec Sch

Zone 4 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Koh Siak Hong, PK, PBS, S.B.St.J.)

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

Zone 5 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Frederick Lim Yew Soon, CMSJ)

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 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Eric Lee, S.B.St.J.)

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

Zone 7 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Kuo Keng Huat, S.B.St.J.)

Ahmad Ibrahim Sec Sch
Hwa Chong Institution (High School)
Henderson Sec Sch
Nan Hua High Sch
Naval Base Sec Sch
Tanglin Sec Sch
North Vista Sec Sch
Xinmin Sec Sch

Zone 8 (Acting Zone Commissioner: Mr Chin Chee Wah, CMSJ)

Bedok South Sec Sch
Chung Cheng High Sch (Main)
Dunman High School
East View Sec Sch
Greenview Sec Sch
Peicai Sec Sch
Pei Chun Badger Unit
Presbyterian High Sch
Tampines Sec Sch
MacPherson Sec Sch

Zone 9 (Zone Commissioner: Mr Yong Cheng Thye, S.B.St.J.)

Boon Lay Sec Sch
Bukit Batok Sec Sch
Clementi Town Sec Sch
Clementi Woods Sec Sch
Golden Mile Adult Corps
ITE(Central) Bedok
Jurong Town Adult Corps
Jurongville Sec Sch
River Valley High Sch
Yuan Ching Sec Sch
Nan Hua Pri School Badger Unit
Yumin PS Badger Unit
Northlight School

Zone 10 (Zone Commissioner: Ms Wendy Neo Lay Cheng, S.S.St.J.)

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[2]. 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.

Pledge

To be loyal to Singapore and the President of the Republic

To upkeep the honour and dignity of the Brigade and my Country

To observe the mottoes of the Order, which are "Pro Fide" -- For the Faith, "Pro Utilitate Hominum" -- For the Service of Mankind

To be loyal to the Chief Commissioner and all my Officers

To read the Brigade Regulations and to comply with them in all respects

To carry out all orders received from time to time from seniors

To carry out my duties with zeal and efficiency to the best of my ability

To be courteous and honest in all my words and actions

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: - SYF Parade - National 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: - 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: - Must not be above 20 years of age on the date of qualifying for the 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.

Annual First Aid and Home Nursing Competition

Release of results during Annual FA and HN Competition 2007

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.

Category	Description
Ambulance Adult (AA)	Males of age 16 or above with Adult First Aid Cerificate
Nursing Adult (NA)	Females of age 16 or above with Adult First Aid Certificate
Ambulance Cadet (AC)	Males of age 17 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate
Nursing Cadet (NC)	Females of age 17 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate

Inter-Corps First Aid Competition

The various Zones conduct Inter-Corps First Aid Competition amongst themselves to decide which Corps gets to represent them at the Inter-Zone First Aid Competition, usually held in July.

The following table lists the various champions for 2009.

Zone	AA Champion	AC Champion	NA Champion	NC Champion
1	-	-	-	-
2	Temasek Secondary School	Anglican High School	East Spring Secondary School	Anglican High School
3	Anderson Sec School	Yishun Town Sec School	Yishun Town Sec School	Yishun Town Sec School
4	Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)	Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)	Swiss Cottage Secondary School	Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
5	-	-	-	-
6	Woodlands Ring Secondary School	Riverside Secondary School	Riverside Secondary School	Riverside Secondary School
7	Nan Hua High School	Nan Hua High School	Ahmad Ibrahim Secondary School	Xin Min Secondary School
8	Dunman High School	Dunman High School	Dunman High School	Dunman High School
9	River Valley High School (Ambulance champion)	Bukit Batok Secondary School (Ambulance runner-up)	River Valley High School	River Valley High School
10	Hai Sing Catholic School	Hai Sing Catholic School	Hai Sing Catholic School	Hai Sing Catholic School

Inter-Zone First Aid and Home Nursing Competition 2008

The Inter-Zone First Aid and Home Nursing Competition 2009 was not carried out due to the Influenza A (H1N1) situation.

Category	Champion	Runner Up	2nd Runner Up
Ambulance Adult	Maris Stella High School (Zone 10)	Riverside Secondary School (Zone 6)	Dunman High School (Zone 8)
Ambulance Cadet	Hai Sing Catholic School (Zone 10)	Dunman High School (Zone 8)	Anglican High School (Zone 2)
Nursing Adult	Hai Sing Catholic School (Zone 10)	Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7)	Dunman High School (Zone 8)
Nursing Cadet	Yishun Town Secondary School (Zone 3)	Hai Sing Catholic School (Zone 10)	Nan Hua High School (Zone 7)

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.

Previous uniform for Nursing members, phased out in year 2000.

The top consists of a white sleeved shirt/blouse with silver buttons bearing the SJAB insignia. 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 and shoes complete the uniform for members. Lady officers have the option of wearing court shoes for functions (i.e. when not on parade or duty.)

Officers and Sergeants-Major have altogether 4 different uniforms:

Common Name	Description (Ambulance)	Description (Nursing)
Safari Uniform	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). Medal ribbons are normally worn though full medals (together with the ceremonial belt) are sometimes worn during parades and ceremonies. Peak Cap is worn.	Same. Lady officers have the option of black culottes or slacks.
Field Uniform	Same uniform as for Members except for collar badges. Beret is worn.	Same. Lady officers have the option of black culottes or slacks.
No. 1 Uniform	A long-sleeved version of the safari jacket, with full medals, worn on top of a white shirt black and tie (analogous to the SAF's No. 5E). A ceremonial belt, in red, white and black is worn around the waist. Peak Cap is worn.	A long-sleeved version of the safari uniform. Senior lady officers also have a gray dress but this uniform is seldom seen nowadays. Round Hat is worn.
Mess Kit	A wing-collared shirt with maroon cummerband bow-tie. Tuxedo jacket with miniature medals and rank insignias is worn. No headdress is worn.	A cross bow-tie. Tuxedo jacket with miniature medals and rank insignias is worn. No headdress is worn.

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.

Rank	Cap Embellishment (Ambulance)	Cap Embellishment (Nursing)	Cap Badge
Grades 4 through 6, Sergeants Major and Corps Presidents	Plain Peak Cap	Plain Round Hat	Officer Cap Badge in White Metal
Grades 3 through 1 and Zone Presidents	Peak Cap with a silver bar for the men	Round Hat with a miniature cockade	Officer Cap Badge in White Metal
Super Grades and HQ Presidents	Peak Cap with a silver bar and St John wort	Round Hat with a full cockade	Senior Officer Cap Badge (cross in White Enamel)

Rank	Gorget Patches
Supergrade Officers
HQ Officers (Grades 1 and 2)
Zone Officers (Grades 1 and 2)
HQ Officers (Grades 3 through 5) and Sergeants Major	Collar Badges with Red Backing
Zone Officers (Grades 3 through 5) and Sergeants Major
Corps Officers (Grades 3 to 6) and Sergeants Major
HQ / Zone / Corps President

Rank Structure

Throughout their secondary education, members are awarded ranks as follows:

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.) Medical doctors have a red outline around their shoulder boards as shown in the below pictures.

Rank	Illustration	Typical Appointment
Super Grade 1		Chief Commissioner
Super Grade 2		Dy Chief Commissioner / Chief Surgeon
Super Grade 3		Chief Superintendent (N) / Assistant Chief Commissioner
Super Grade 4		Chief Staff Officer (Heads of Department at Headquarters Level) / Chief Nursing Officer
Grade 1		HQ Staff Officer / Zone Commissioner
Grade 2		HQ Staff Officer / Zone Superintendent* / Zone Surgeon*
Grade 3		HQ / Zone Staff Officer / Zone Nursing Officer / Corps Superintendent
Grade 4		HQ / Zone / Corps Staff Officer / Corps Surgeon*
Grade 5		HQ / Zone / Corps Staff Officer / Corps Nursing Officer*
Grade 6		Corps Staff Officer
Special Grade		HQ / Zone / Corps President
Sergeant Major		HQ / Zone / Corps Sergeant Major

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.

Awards and Commendations

This section requires expansion.

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
Life-Saving Medal of the Order (in Gold, Silver or Bronze) - very rare

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.

Past Leaders

This section requires expansion.

Chairman, National St John Council

Dr Baey Lian Peck, O.St.J. ( - )
Dr Ng Eng Lim, K.St.J. ( - )
Mr Peter Ngo Gim Kang, JP, BBM(L), K.St.J. ( - 2007)
Mr Bobby Lim Chye Huat, PBM, O.St.J. (2007 - )

Director, St John Ambulance Association

Dr Timothy Phoon, K.St.J. ( - )
Dr David Tan Kia Choo, C.St.J. (1999 - )
Dr Teh Peng Hooi, O.St.J. ( - )

Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

Dr D.P.McIntyre ( - )
Dr P.C. Kwan ( - )
Dr K.L. Loh, BBM, C.St.J. ( - July 1970)
Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, BBM, C.St.J. (July 1970 - 1978)

Chief Commissioner, St John Ambulance Brigade

Dr S.R.Sayampanathan, BBM, 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 - )

External links

St John Ambulance Singapore public website

Sources

History: http://www.sjab.org.sg/history.htm. Retrieved 6 April, 2007
Names of Corps taken from http://www.sjab.org.sg/allzone.htm. Retrieved 6 April, 2007
Description of Rank Structure taken from the Brigade Regulations of the Republic of Singapore

(1997 edition)

Results of 2008 National Competition from http://www.sjab.org.sg/

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