PROVISION OF FIRST AID

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27591, 23 February 1955, Page 2

PROVISION OF FIRST AID

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ACTIVITIES VOLUNTARY SERVICE TO PUBLIC Smartly and distinctively uniformed, or equipped for rough weather, and with a kit for first-aid treatment, men of the St. John Ambulance Brigade are at work every day of the year in Christchurch. Like members of the nursing division during the day, they man ambulances at night; they attend most sporting, events, and are on hand whenever citizens are gathered in large crowds. To equip each man for this work costs at least £2B. This is an initial outlay, and does not meet the wear and tear of tough service. Outfitting for each of the Christchurch corps’ 350 men requires: jacket and trousers, £l7; cap, £2; greatcoat (dyed Air Force issue), £3; cape, £1 15s; and first-aid kit, £4. Nurses are given hats and uniform material: they cut and make up their own uniforms, then buy stockings and gloves at their own expense. Members of the brigade, including cadets, give their own time and enthusiasm to reach the high standard of skill and knowledge required. They rely on public help to pay for uniforms and equipment. Demands on ambulance services are continually increasing. Throughout the summer, first-aid workers are asked to accompany school and business firms’ picnics two or three days each week. They attend car and motor-cycle races, and four men and an officer are on duty at the Aranui Speedway every Saturday. At big cricket matches, they are on duty among the crowds. But the greatest call for attention to sporting accidents is in winter. Railway excursions, skating trips, boxing, . wrestling, and football, basketball and ■ hockey matches at parks throughout t the city are almost all served by the origade. From brigade headquarters 1 down to units of the 17 senior divi- . sions, there is a weekly allocation of [ duties. [ Race meetings are attended by five men, two nurses, and an ambulance driver. Steeplechase events are attended by a dozen men and nurses. ! Wages lost through attending mid- ' week meetings are made good by the 1 brigade. > Work in all weather, often on dusty • or muddy parks, soon leaves its mark • on the brigadesman’s uniform. i Replacements of equipment and I medical stores, and administration ■ costs, account for a large portion of ■ the brigade’s half share in the money i given by Christchurch citizens to help i ambulance work. This is the main source of the brigade’s income. The , other half of the annual appeal fund ■ is spent by the St. John Ambulance ; Association, which is responsible for ! running Christchurch’s ambulances.