It's St. John Ambulance week, marking the Barrie-Simcoe-Muskoka branch's 80th anniversary in 2021.
St. John Ambulance Week is an annual awareness event supporting the St. John Ambulance mission, which is “to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety, and quality of life by providing training and community service.”
On Friday morning, Chair of the Barrie Simcoe Muskoka branch, Ferguson Mobbs, past chair, board member, and active volunteer Bill Sergeant, as well as Coun. Peter Dykie and Mayor Rob Keffer met in front of the Bradford courthouse for a private flag-raising ceremony to commemorate the thousands of volunteers who have given their time and service to the community since 1941.
St. John's Ambulance trains over 5,780 people annually in first aid and other health-related courses under the guidance of a network of medical professionals. St. John Ambulance is the national leader, setting the standard for training in first aid, CPR, and other lifesaving skills.
Last year, as possible during the pandemic, the 181 volunteers of the Branch provided the community with approximately 11,750 hours of volunteer services, including:
- Attending 23 events and treating 7 casualties;
- Completing 2,074 in-person and virtual therapy dog visits to 70 facilities;
- Providing leadership training to 11 youth volunteers;
- Educating 79 parents and caregivers on the proper way to install car seats; and
- Training 200 residents in a free mass CPR course.
There are 51 new volunteers coming on board this year, which will bring the branch's total number of volunteers up to 232.
"Normally in a year's time, our volunteers put in over 22,000 hours," said Mobbs. "I am always astonished at the dedication of our people."
The branch has two units of medical first responders, two units of medical therapy dogs, and one youth unit. They also run a special child seat clinic where they teach parents how to install car seats properly.
"It's an honour and privilege to be here today and for 80 years that the branch has been serving our communities," said Mobbs.
Mobbs thanked the mayor and the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury for their support.
The mayor read the proclamation declaring June 21-27, 2021 as St. John Ambulance Week in the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury.
For more information on St. John Ambulance training courses and local volunteer opportunities, visit www.sja.ca.
