St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland

Southern Command

Announcement

 
Adult First Aid and Ambulance Division Print E-mail

Picture of the DivisionAt St John Ambulance, we are always looking for new members. The adult section of the Brigade in Cork is known as Cork City Combined Division. Our membership is approx. 40 adults ranging from 16 years and upwards. There is a good male/female mix. We provide a uniformed, well trained group that is always in readiness for a major incident.

Our meeting night is Thursday, from 8.15 to 10pm. A wide-ranging training program takes place on Thursdays, incorporating every aspect of dealing with accident and emergency situations. Our membership is drawn from every area of society, from students to home-makers, and from tradesmen to emergency personnel.

The Division maintains three ambulances and a mini-bus. These vehicles are equipped to Department of Health standards, and must be in readiness at all times for emergency call-out. The Brigade forms part of the Southern Health Boards Joint Cork Emergency Plan, and has been called-out several times under this plan. 

This mixture of skills enhances our training, and coupled with extra courses, such as Oxygen Administration and Ambulance Aid, these will prepare our members for the varying emergency situations they come across on Brigade Public Duty. Some of our more advanced members have done an Automated Defibrillation Course within the past year. During the summer months, we have outdoor training sessions, where we go to a location, and train for any incidents that could arise there. We also train for inter-divisional First Aid competitions which take place annually.

Our main workload is our attendance at large and small crowd events. These events range from GAA, Soccer and Rugby games, to equestrian and point to points, or any event requiring First aid or Ambulance cover. Most events take place at weekends, but we provide cover 365 days a year.

Our members also provide assistance and instruction on Brigade First aid courses. These courses are valuable for recruitment and general First aid training for the public, and industry.

The Division is a disciplined group, and has a military-like rank structure. On joining you become an Ambulance/Nursing Member, and can rise to Corporal, Sergeant, and Divisional Officer, up to Divisional Superintendent. New members are always encouraged, as we have an ever-increasing workload.