BY CARLA ALLEN
The Vanguard
Like many other non-profit organizations, the St. John Ambulance Brigade depends heavily on volunteers to provide its services but Yarmouth branch members no longer have the time or people available for the advanced training required.
The branch, which was established 10 years ago, provided first aid coverage for community events. Volunteers were known as Medical First Responders or Saint John Ambulance Community First Aid volunteers.
"Basically there were five or six volunteers left in the region that were providing first aid coverage at local events. They were just unable to fulfill that role at this time," said Annette Deagle, director of community
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services.
Close to 260 volunteers across Nova Scotia provide 50,000 to 60,000 hours of their time per year.
Deagle said she finds that simular communities don't have the manpower to be able to do that.
"Communities grow and they die off and the interest fades and it resurfaces. It's a real swing. It's a big commitment to be a first aid volunteer because the training is a lot higher than with other groups," said Deagle.
The organization relies on donations to cover the cost of transportation, training and supplies for its members.
In the past, the Yarmouth branch provided services at the Acadian Games, four-wheeler rallies, baseball tournaments, canoe rallies, Clare Acadien Festival, concerts, (Great Big Sea, Crush, Grand Dérangement and others), Swissair Flight 111 disaster in |
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1998, Relay for Life, Shark Scramble and the Western Nova Scotia Exhibition.
St John Ambulance is a national voluntary agency founded in Canada 115 years ago.
It's mission is to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service.
St. John Ambulance work is carried out in Canada by two groups. The Brigade is composed of iniformed volunteers who provide community service such as first aid cobverage at public events and community health care service.
The Association is a network of medical professionals, program development specialists and instructors who provide health and safety training accross Canada and internationally. |
