St John Singapore

St John Singapore, previously known as St John Ambulance Singapore, is a voluntary secular organisation in Singapore which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. It is affiliated with the Order of St. John based in the UK. 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.

St John Singapore
Active1885 – Present
RoleVolunteer Youth Organisation
Headquarters420 Beach Road
Motto(s)Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum (For the Faith, For the Service of Humanity)
Commanders
Incoming Prior, Priory of Singapore / Council ChairmanDr Selan Sayampanathan S R E SBStJ
Director, St. John Association SingaporeDr Dave Lee Yee Han MStJ
Chief Commissioner, St. John Brigade SingaporeDr Nelson Chua Ping Ping OStJ.

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.

National St. John Council

Appointment Holders

St John Singapore comes under the command of the National St John Council. The following are the incumbent appointment holders.

Aims

Apart from promoting and assisting St John Ambulance Association & Brigade as well as to raise the necessary funds to support their work, the main objects of the Council, are briefly as follows:

  1. To promote and encourage all works of humanity and charity for the relief of distress, suffering, sickness and danger without any distinction as to race, class or creed, and the extension of the great principles of the Order of St John embodied in its mottoes "for the Faith" and "For the Service of Mankind".
  2. To render aid to the sick, wounded, disabled or suffering and to promote such permanent organisation in time of peace, as may be available immediately in time of emergency, such aid shall include the provision of technical reserves for the Medical services of the Armed Forces or civil defence organisations in the Republic of Singapore.
  3. To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.
  4. It is also a non-profit organisation.
    Priory of Singapore Coat of Arms
Priory of Singapore Flag

St John Brigade Singapore

Appointment Holders

St John Brigade Singapore comes under the command of the Brigade Executive Committee which is led by appointment holders.

Organisational Structure

St John Brigade Singapore consists predominantly of cadet members who join the organisation as their CCA in secondary school. Presently, each school that has a St. John unit, referred to as a corps, is organised into 1 of 5 Districts.

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 Mankind', 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 – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after obtaining 12 badges (at least 2 from each group), Knowledge of the Order (KSJ/408) and Total Defence Badge (TDF/110).
  2. Deputy Chief Commissioner's Badge – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after obtaining 9 badges including Knowledge of the Order and completed Total Defence Gold.
  3. Commissioner's Badge – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after obtaining 6 badges (at least 1 from each group), Knowledge of the Order (KSJ/409) and completed Total Defence Silver.
  4. Superintendent's Badge – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after obtaining 4 badges and completed Total Defence Silver.
  5. Drill Instructor Badge – Awarded by the National Training Committee, upon completion of the Advanced Drill Instructor's Course (Gold Badge) or approved Basic Drill Instructor's Course (Silver Badge).
  6. Unicorn Badge (To cease to be issued from 2018) – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after obtaining 4 badges (at least 1 from each group).
  7. National First Aid Competition Champion Badge – Awarded by the Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner (Operations) to all members of the champion teams of all 4 categories at the National First Aid Competition.
  8. National Activity Badge – Awarded by the National CPB Committee after participating in an approved national event.

Corps Appointment Badges
  1. Corps Secretary
  2. 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 13 above with Adult First Aid Certificate
Nursing Adult (NA) Females of age 13 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.

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)

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 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)

Adult and Cadet Members
  • Senior Staff Sergeant
    SSS
  • Staff Sergeant
    SSG
  • Sergeant
    SGT
  • Corporal
    CPL
  • Lance Corporal
    LCP
  • Private
    PTE

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
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