St John Singapore

St John Singapore
Active1930 – Present
RoleVolunteer Youth Organisation
Headquarters420 Beach Road
Motto(s)Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum (For the Faith, For the Service of Humanity)
Websitewww.stjohn.org.sg
Commanders
Prior, Priory of Singapore / Council ChairmanDr Selan Sayampanathan S R E KStJ
Director, St. John Association SingaporeDr Dave Lee Yee Han MStJ
Chief Commissioner, St. John Brigade SingaporeDr Nelson Chua Ping Ping OStJ.

St John Singapore is a voluntary secular organisation in Singapore established in 1877 which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. It is affiliated with the Order of Saint John based in the United Kingdom. Its ambulance members (male members) and nursing members (female members) perform voluntary first aid coverage duties during national events and other events. It comprises 3 sub-organisations, namely the St John Brigade Singapore, St John Association Singapore, St John Fellowship Singapore.

The National Headquarters (NHQ) is located at 420 Beach Road and was officially opened on 23 July 1960 by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (and subsequently President of Singapore), Encik Yusof bin Ishak.

History

In 1877, the St John Ambulance Association (SJAA) was established in Singapore to train people in first aid. The St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB), the uniformed companion body of the SJAA, was established in 1887 to gather qualified volunteers to render medical aid during public events and emergencies.

In 1885, the SJAA center was established in Singapore.[1] After a few years, the centre closed and reopened in 1906. The centre closed again after its honorary secretary died.

In 1930, Chen Su Lan restarted a new SJAA centre and its first batch of trainees graduated in 1933. The uniformed division was subsequently established in September 1938

In 1952, the St John Council was created to manage both SJAB and SJAA in Singapore and in 1970, the council was registered as the National St John Council of Singapore.

In 1980, the SJAA and SJAB came together to be known as St John Ambulance Singapore (SJAS).

In January 2014, the Order of St John conferred SJAS the status of Priory.[2] SJAS was then renamed as St John Singapore in the same year.

Organisation and Structure

St John Singapore consists of 2 branches, the St John Association and the St John Brigade.

The St John Association is the training wing and was established in 1885. It provides training in First Aid, Home Nursing, Child Care, and other related subjects to the public.

The St John Brigade is the uniformed branch which provides First Aid and ambulance services, and provide youth development through a Cadet programme.

It also has an alumni association, the St John Fellowship.

Appointment holders

  • Patron-in-Chief: H.E. The President of Singapore
  • Chairman : Dr S R E Sayampanathan PBM, KStJ
  • Vice Chairmen :
    • Dr Nelson Chua Ping Ping PP, PBS, CStJ
    • Dr Dave Lee Yee Han OStJ
    • Mr Tian Mong Ching CStJ
  • Hon Secretary : Mr Andrew Hodges CStJ
  • Hon Treasurer : Mr William Leong Sin Yuen MStJ
  • Assistant Hon Treasurer : Dr Ramesh Subramaniam
Priory of Singapore Coat of Arms
Priory of Singapore Flag

Core Competencies

Typically, cadet members undergo training in four core competencies – First Aid, Home Nursing (for Nursing members), Transportation of Casualty (for Ambulance members), Foot Drill and Physical Training. These are conducted through Routine Training and other Training Camps that vary from Corps to Corps and District to District. In the interest of holistic development, cadet members also have the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities which can allow them to earn Cadet Proficiency Badges. Outstanding cadet members are awarded the prestigious Chief Commissioner's Badge after attaining 12 proficiency badges (with 2 from each of the 4 badge groups, Knowledge of the Order of St John (KOTO) Badge, and the Total Defence Badge).

St John Day

As St John the Baptist Day, 24 June, normally falls during the Singapore School Holidays, corps typically observe St. John Day on the first Wednesday after school reopens. On that day, members don their Brigade Uniform during official school hours. A St John Day message by the Chief Commissioner is read out by the Principal or student leader during the morning flag raising ceremony. Where possible, the St John Flag is also raised alongside the State Flag and the respective School Flag. On this day also, members reaffirm their loyalty to the Republic of Singapore and affirm their commitment to the twin mottoes of the Order, 'For the Faith' and 'For the Service of Humanity', in reciting the St John Pledge.

SJB Singapore cadets on parade

Badges

Brigade Badges

The following badges are listed in order of precedence:

  1. Chief Commissioner's Badge
  2. Deputy Chief Commissioner's Badge
  3. Commissioner's Badge
  4. Superintendent's Badge
  5. Drill Instructor Badge
  6. Unicorn Badge (Cease to be issued from 2018)
  7. National First Aid Competition Champion Badge
  8. National Activity Badge

Corps Appointment Badges

  • Corps Secretary
  • Corps Storekeeper

National First Aid and Home Nursing Competition

Release of results during Annual FA and HN Competition 2007

The National First Aid and Home Nursing Competition, typically referred to as the National First Aid Competition (NFAC), is an annual inter-district competition in which all 5 districts send teams to compete in each of the 4 categories. Prior to the NFAC, each district organises its own Inter-Corps First Aid and Home Nursing Competition with a similar competition framework. The 4 champion teams from each district represent their respective districts in the NFAC.

Competition Categories

The 4 categories are listed below:

Category Description
Ambulance Adult (AA) Males of age 15 above with Adult First Aid Certificate
Nursing Adult (NA) Females of age 15 or above with Adult First Aid Certificate
Ambulance Cadet (AC) Males of age 13 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate
Nursing Cadet (NC) Females of age 13 or below with Basic First Aid Certificate

Competition Framework

There are 2 frameworks for the competition, one for the Ambulance categories and one for the Nursing categories.

Ambulance Category Framework

AA and AC teams are expected to complete the following as part of the competition:

  1. First Aid Long Case (20 mins)
  2. First Aid Short Case (10 mins)
  3. Transportation of Casualty
  4. Foot Drill (10 mins)

Nursing Category Framework

NA and NC teams are expected to complete the following as part of the competition:

  1. Home Nursing Case (20 mins)
  2. First Aid Medium Case (10 mins)
  3. Foot Drill (7 mins)

Dress Regulations

Uniforms

At present, there are a total of 4 uniforms of St. John Brigade Singapore, which are listed as follows:

  1. Ceremonial Uniform
  2. Mess Kit
  3. Safari Uniform
  4. Field Uniform

Cadet members are presently only entitled to wear the Field Uniform, which is also the most widely recognised uniform of the St. John Brigade Singapore. The Field Uniform consists of a black beret with a cap badge, depending on which is entitled to the wearer. Nursing members wear a hairnet as well. The top consists of a white short-sleeved shirt / blouse with plastic concealed buttons. For female members, due to the white uniform, bras should be of decent colours if worn. Shoulder flashes bearing the Maltese Cross with twin beasts and unicorns, together with the words "St. John Singapore" are worn on both sleeves. A black epaulette is worn on both shoulders denoting the rank of the member. The bottom consists of black pants / culottes, which is worn with the St. John belt. Black socks and black low-cut boots are worn with the shoelaces tied in the formal-style.

For Presidents, Senior Officers, Officers and Warrant Officers, the following 4 uniforms are worn:

Common Name Description (Ambulance) Description (Nursing)
Safari Uniform A bush jacket with 4 big silver buttons in front, with epaulettes and metal rank insignias for both the men and the ladies. Medal ribbons are normally worn though full medals 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 mandarin collar. Full medals and Peak Cap is worn. A long-sleeved version of the safari uniform with mandarin collar. Full medals and 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.

Head Dress

Beret

Beret and Cap Badge for Members, Officers and Warrant Officers
Rank Beret Cap Badge
Cadet Members
Beret with Cadet Cap Badge
Cadet Cap Badge
Adult Members
Beret with Adult Cap Badge
Adult Cap Badge
Staff Officers, Warrant Officers
and Corps/District Presidents
Beret with Officer Cap Badge
Officer Cap Badge
Commissioners
and HQ Presidents
Beret with Senior Officer Cap Badge
Senior Officer Cap Badge (embroidered)

Peak Cap and Bowler Hat

Peak Caps, Bowler's Hat and Cap Badge for Officers and Warrant Officers
Rank Cap Embellishment (Ambulance) Cap Embellishment (Nursing) Cap Badge
Staff Officer Grades 4 to 6,
Warrant Officers and Corps Presidents
Peak Cap
Bowler's Hat
Officer Cap Badge
Staff Officer Grades 3 to 1
and District Presidents
Peak Cap with a silver bar
Bowler's Hat with silver lining
Officer Cap Badge
Commissioners
and HQ Presidents
Peak Cap with a silver bar and St John wort
Bowler's Hat with silver lining
Senior Officer Cap Badge (embroidered)

Distinguishing Marks

Collar Badges

Rank Adult MembersWarrant Officers, Officers and Senior Officers
Collar Badges

Gorget Patches

RankBrigade / Senior

/ District Presidents

 Officers (Grade 2 to Grade 1)Senior Officers

(Super Grade 1

to Super Grade 5)

Gorget Patches

Rank structure

As a uniformed organisation that has a military heritage that originated with the Order of St. John, a rank structure used to distinguish members and appointment holders. In general, the rank one holds within the organisation corresponds with their appointment.

Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance (Senior officers)
Rank SG1 SG2 SG3 SG4 SG5
Insignia
Title Chief Commissioner Deputy Chief Commissioner Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner Assistant Chief Commissioner
Chief Nursing Officer		 Commissioner
District Commissioner
Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance (Officers)
Rank SO1 SO2 SO3 SO4 SO5 SO6
Insignia
Title Staff Officer Grade 1
HQ Staff Officer
District Commissioner		 Staff Officer Grade 2
HQ Staff Officer
District Superintendent
District Surgeon*
District Nursing Officer		 Staff Officer Grade 3
(HQ / District) Staff Officer
Corps Superintendent
District Nursing Officer		 Staff Officer Grade 4
(HQ / District / Corps) Staff Officer
Corps Surgeon*
(District / Corps) Nursing Officer		 Staff Officer Grade 5
(HQ / District / Corps) Staff Officer
Corps Nursing Officer
District Nursing Officer*		 Staff Officer Grade 6
Corps Staff Officer
Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance (Warrant officers)
Rank WO(1) WO(2) WO(3) WO(4)
Insignia
Title Warrant Officer Grade 1
Brigade Sergeant Major
HQ Warrant Officer		 Warrant Officer Grade 2
(Brigade / District) Sergeant Major
(HQ / District) Warrant Officer		 Warrant Officer Grade 3
District Sergeant Major
District Warrant Officer		 Warrant Officer Grade 4
District Warrant Officer
Ranks and Insignia of St John Ambulance (Adult members)
Rank SSS SSG SGT CPL LCP PTE
Insignia
Title Senior Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance Corporal Private
Presidents

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Officers and members are entitled to receive the following Orders, Decorations and Medals:

Local Awards

  1. The Commendation Medal of St John (CMSJ)
  2. The Priory Medal
  3. The 5 Years First Aid Efficiency Medal
  4. The Golden Jubilee Medal

International Awards (awarded by the Order of St John)

  1. The Bailiff / Dame Grand Cross of the Order of St John (GCStJ)
  2. The Knights / Dame of Justice of the Order of St John (KStJ / DStJ)
  3. The Knights / Dame of Grace of the Order of St John (KStJ / DStJ)
  4. The Commander of the Order of St John (CStJ)
  5. The Officer of the Order of St John (OStJ)
  6. The Member of the Order of St John (MStJ)
  7. The Life-Saving Medal of the Order of St John
  8. The Service Medal of the Order of St John

See also

References

  1. ↑ "St John Ambulance Brigade | Infopedia". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  2. ↑ Liang, Lim Yan (6 January 2014). "Boost for local chapter of St John Ambulance". AsiaOne. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
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