St John Ambulance Ireland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
St John Ambulance Ireland

Logo of St John Ambulance Ireland
Abbreviation	SJAI
Founded	1881 (training association) 1903 (uniformed brigade) 1945 (merger of association and brigade)
Type	Non-governmental, charitable voluntary organisation
Registration no.	20002893
Focus	First aid, health promotion, positive youth development
Location	Lumsden House, 29 Leeson Street Upper, Dublin 4, D04 PX94, Ireland
Origins	St John Ambulance
Area served	Ireland
Services	Community service, emergency medical services, youth programmes
Method	First aid training, event first aid and ambulance cover, reserve support to statutory services, youth service
Key people	Commissioner: John Hughes CStJ. President: Bill Fleming CStJ
Formerly called	St. John Ambulance Association Irish Centre; St. John Ambulance Brigade No. 12 District

St John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) is a charity in Ireland. It is made up of volunteers who help people. SJAI teaches and practices first aid, which is the first help given to someone who is sick or hurt. They also provide first aid at public events and help with patient transport.

A Look Back: The History of St John Ambulance Ireland

The badge of the St John Ambulance Brigade, used from 1945 until 2012.

The St John Ambulance Association started in the UK in 1877. Its job was to teach first aid to police, workers, and the public. A training center opened in Dublin around 1881. Another one opened in Belfast in 1886.

A year later, the St John Ambulance Brigade was formed. This group had uniformed volunteers ready to help the sick and injured. The first Brigade group in Ireland was in Belfast in 1892.

Early Days in Dublin

The first group in what is now the Irish Free State started in Dublin in 1903. It was at the Guinness Brewery and led by Dr. John Lumsden. He taught first aid to brewery employees. These classes became so popular that a special unit was created.

In 1905, the first public group, the City of Dublin Ambulance Division, was formed. This allowed anyone to join. In 1909, women were able to join too, with the first nursing division.

Helping During Big Events

The Brigade helped during many important times in Irish history. They treated people hurt during the 1913 Dublin Lockout. In 1914, the Irish groups formed their own area, called No. 12 Ireland District. Dr. Lumsden became its leader.

During the First World War, many members helped injured soldiers. They worked with Red Cross volunteers.

The Easter Rising and Beyond

The Brigade was very important during the Easter Rising in 1916. They treated people from both sides of the conflict. They also fed and cared for people who had to leave their homes. Dr. Ella Webb helped Dr. Lumsden set up an emergency hospital. She even cycled through dangerous areas to visit the hospital.

For his work, Dr. Lumsden was made a knight by George V. Dr. Ella Webb also received an award for her efforts.

Dr. Lumsden also encouraged people to donate blood. He asked for volunteers to be on-call blood donors for Dublin hospitals. This service later became the National Blood Transfusion Association in 1948.

In 1922, the Irish Civil War began. The Brigade went to the front lines to help everyone. The first Cadet division, for young people aged 10 to 17, was formed the next year.

Becoming Independent

After 1923, Dr. Lumsden worked to make the Brigade in Ireland more independent. In 1945, the Association and Brigade in southern Ireland joined together. They formed the St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland. It became an "associated body" with the main Order of St John.

How St John Ambulance Ireland Works

St John Ambulance Ireland is set up a bit like a military group, but they are volunteers. A group of leaders called the Council oversees everything. The Council is led by the President, Bill Fleming. The main leader of the organization is the Commissioner, John Hughes.

There are also other leaders like the Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioners. They are in charge of different parts of the organization's work.

Local Groups: Divisions

The organization has local groups called "divisions." Each division has 10 to 30 members and is led by a Divisional Superintendent. Other leaders like Officers, Sergeants, and Corporals help them. Some divisions also have doctors or nurses.

Divisions are found in many cities and towns across Ireland. These include Dublin, Drogheda, Mayo, Cavan, Kildare, Cork City, Glanmire, and Limerick City.

Ranks in SJAI

Two vehicles of St John Ambulance Ireland outside a game at Croke Park

Members of St John Ambulance Ireland have different ranks, like in the army or scouts. These ranks show their role and experience.

Adult ranks

Positions	Insignia
Commissioner	(Cross of St John over three pips)
Assistant Commissioner	(Cross of St John over two pips)
Staff Officer	(Cross of St John over one pip)
District Officer	(Cross of St John)
Divisional Surgeon Divisional Superintendent
Nursing Officer 1st Divisional Officer
2nd Divisional Officer
Sergeant
Corporal
Lance Corporal	(one downward chevron)
Member

Cadet Adult Ranks (for adults leading cadet groups)

Cadet ranks (for young people aged 11–17)

Positions	Insignia
Cadet Sergeant
Cadet Corporal
Cadet Lance Corporal	(one downward chevron)
Cadet

Rank badges are worn on the shoulders of the uniform. They are usually black. Doctors wear red badges, nurses wear grey, and registered medical professionals wear green.

Leaders of the Brigade

Since 1903, there have been eight Commissioners who led the Brigade:

• Sir John Lumsden, 1903 – 1944
• Anthony J. O'Conor, 1944 – 1951
• William G. Smith (Acting Commissioner), 1951 – 1955
• Douglas Montgomery, 1955 – 1974
• Derek L. Robinson, 1974 – June 2008
• Hugh J. Galvin (Acting Commissioner), June 2008 – July 2008
• Patrick K. Plunkett, July 2008 – 2013 (Resigned)
• John Hughes, 2014 –

What They Wear: The Uniform

In 2012, St John Ambulance Ireland got a new uniform. For members and junior leaders, it includes black boots, black trousers, a white shirt, and a black jacket. They also wear a hat, which can be a baseball cap or a peaked cap.

Cadets wear a similar uniform, but they don't have the open-neck shirt or peaked cap. They wear a tie and a baseball cap for all events.

Officers wear a more formal uniform. It includes a black tunic (a type of jacket) and trousers, with black shoes, a shirt, tie, and a peaked hat. This uniform style is similar to what police officers wear.

When working outside or in busy areas, all members wear bright yellow jackets. These jackets have green parts and help them be seen easily.

There is also a special uniform for members who use bicycles to respond to emergencies. This includes a special cycling jacket, trousers, and a helmet.

Rank badges are always worn on the shoulders of the outermost layer of clothing.

See also

• Order of Malta Ambulance Corps
• Civil Defence Ireland
• Sovereign Military Order of Malta
• Service Medal of the Order of St John
• Insignia of the Venerable Order of St John