St John Singapore

St John Singapore
St John Singapore
Active	1930 – Present
Role	Volunteer Youth Organisation
Headquarters	420 Beach Road
Motto(s)	Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum (For the Faith, For the Service of Humanity)
Website	www.stjohn.org.sg
Commanders
Prior, Priory of Singapore / Council Chairman	Dr Selan Sayampanathan S R E KStJ
Director, St. John Association Singapore	Dr Dave Lee Yee Han MStJ
Chief Commissioner, St. John Brigade Singapore	Dr 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 July 23, 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: the President of Singapore

Chairman : Dr S R E Sayampanathan KStJ
Vice Chairmen :
- Dr Nelson Chua Ping Ping OStJ
- Dr Dave Lee Yee Han MStJ
- Mr Tian Mong Ching KStJ

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 Zone to Zone. 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, June 24, 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:

Chief Commissioner's Badge
Deputy Chief Commissioner's Badge
Commissioner's Badge
Superintendent's Badge
Drill Instructor Badge
Unicorn Badge (Cease to be issued from 2018)
National First Aid Competition Champion Badge
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:

First Aid Long Case (20 mins)
First Aid Short Case (10 mins)
Transportation of Casualty
Foot Drill (10 mins)

Nursing Category Framework[]

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

Home Nursing Case (20 mins)
First Aid Medium Case (10 mins)
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:

Ceremonial Uniform
Mess Kit
Safari Uniform
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 Members	Warrant Officers, Officers and Senior Officers
Collar Badges

Gorget Patches[]

Rank	Brigade / 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 his / her appointment.

Senior Officers[]

Chief Commissioner
SG1
Deputy Chief Commissioner
Chief Surgeon
SG2
Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner
SG3
Assistant Chief Commissioner
Chief Nursing Officer
SG4
Commissioner
District Commissioner
SG5

Officers[]

Staff Officer Grade 1
HQ Staff Officer
District Commissioner
SO(1)
Staff Officer Grade 2
HQ Staff Officer
District Superintendent
District Surgeon*
District Nursing Officer
SO(2)
Staff Officer Grade 3
(HQ / District) Staff Officer
Corps Superintendent
District Nursing Officer
SO(3)
Staff Officer Grade 4
(HQ / District / Corps) Staff Officer
Corps Surgeon*
(District / Corps) Nursing Officer
SO(4)
Staff Officer Grade 5
(HQ / District / Corps) Staff Officer
Corps Nursing Officer
District Nursing Officer*
SO(5)
Staff Officer Grade 6
Corps Staff Officer
SO(6)

Warrant Officers[]

Warrant Officer Grade 1
Brigade Sergeant Major
HQ Warrant Officer
WO(1)
Warrant Officer Grade 2
(Brigade / District) Sergeant Major
(HQ / District) Warrant Officer
WO(2)
Warrant Officer Grade 3
District Sergeant Major
District Warrant Officer
WO(3)
Warrant Officer Grade 4
District Warrant Officer
WO(4)