This year marks the 100th anniversary of St. John Ambulance beginning in Saskatchewan. Over those 100 years, the organization has become an integral part of first aid and safety fields in the province. Because of that fact, throughout 2011 events are being planned across Saskatchewan to celebrate the different ways St. John Ambulance helps residents.
While this is a year for celebration, there is also a need to keep the organization going.
In Yorkton, St. John Ambulance is in need of volunteers for patient care, as there are currently not enough people volunteering to keep that part of the group active.
Judy Purdue with St. John Ambulance in Yorkton says potential volunteers need basic first aid in order to begin, and they will then be trained to a higher level, the medical first responder level. This is a 40 hour course, and Purdue says taking it and volunteering to help at the many events St. John Ambulance provides a service and is a great way for people interested in medical careers to get started.
"It's not only good for personal interest and volunteering, but if they have an interest in going on to higher education in the medical field," Purdue says.
Volunteers have provided first aid coverage for a wide variety of events, from walkathons, sporting events and races. Purdue says that the St. John Ambulance has provided services to a variety of different events in the area in the past, anything where first aid might be necessary.
"Giving first aid to someone, you could be saving a life," Purdue notes.
The position that is needed most of all in Yorkton is a Superintendent of Community Services, who can head up the Patient Services Division in the city. The individual in question would need to lead this part of the organization. Purdue says people who can commit about 60 hours a year and have an interest in St. John Ambulance are needed to keep the patient services division going.
"St. John Ambulance has been in Yorkton for a whole lot of years, and it's a shame that there isn't that volunteer base."
Other areas of volunteering have been successful, Purdue notes, such as the therapy dog program. Local dogs which have passed evaluations have been placed in care homes in the city. Purdue says that people interested in the therapy dog program are also encouraged to volunteer.
People interested in volunteering with St. John Ambulance can visit the organization's website at www.sja.ca or call Purdue at 783-4544.
