| Unit Name: | St John Singapore |
| Role: | Volunteer Youth Organisation |
| Garrison: | 420 Beach Road |
| Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
| Motto: | Pro Fide, Pro Utilitate Hominum (For the Faith, For the Service of Humanity) |
| Commander1: | Datuk Seri Professor Sean Patrick Rozario, KStJ (Justice), OLM, BOE |
| Commander1 Label: | Prior, Priory of Singapore / Council Chairman |
| Commander2: | Clin Assoc Prof Yap Jiunn Liang Jonathan MStJ |
| Commander2 Label: | Director, St. John Association Singapore |
| Commander3: | Dr Alvin Ng Choon Yong PBM, MStJ |
| Commander3 Label: | Chief Commissioner, St. John Brigade Singapore |
| Dates: | 1930 – Present |
St John Singapore is a voluntary secular organisation in Singapore established in 1877 which provides training in First Aid and Home Nursing. It is affiliated with the Order of Saint John based in the United Kingdom. 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.
The National Headquarters (NHQ) is located at 420 Beach Road and was officially opened on 23 July 1960 by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara (and subsequently President of Singapore), Encik Yusof bin Ishak.
In 1877, the St John Ambulance Association (SJAA) was established in Singapore to train people in first aid. The St John Ambulance Brigade (SJAB), the uniformed companion body of the SJAA, was established in 1887 to gather qualified volunteers to render medical aid during public events and emergencies.
In 1885, the SJAA center was established in Singapore.[1] After a few years, the centre closed and reopened in 1906. The centre closed again after its honorary secretary died.
In 1930, Chen Su Lan restarted a new SJAA centre and its first batch of trainees graduated in 1933. The uniformed division was subsequently established in September 1938
In 1952, the St John Council was created to manage both SJAB and SJAA in Singapore and in 1970, the council was registered as the National St John Council of Singapore.
In 1980, the SJAA and SJAB came together to be known as St John Ambulance Singapore (SJAS).
In January 2014, the Order of St John conferred SJAS the status of Priory.[2] SJAS was then renamed as St John Singapore in the same year.
St John Singapore consists of 3 Sub Divisions, the St John Association and the St John Brigade and St John Fellowship.
The St John Association is the training wing and was established in 1885. It provides training in First Aid, Home Nursing, Child Care, and other related subjects to the public.
The St John Brigade is the uniformed branch which provides First Aid and ambulance services, and provide youth development through a Cadet programme.
The St John Fellowship is the old comrades association of St John Singapore. It was established in April 1996 to support the activities of St John Singapore and enable former members to keep in touch with St John and with each other. It also organise meetings, social events, and other activities as desired by members to advance the work of St John and the Fellowship.
Students of participating schools may join St John Brigade as their Co-Curricular Activity (CCA), as cadet members. Typically, cadet members undergo training in four core competencies – First Aid, Home Nursing, Transportation of Casualty, and Foot Drill. These are conducted through Routine Training and other Training Camps that vary from Corps to Corps and District to District. 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 at least 2 from each of the 4 badge groups, Knowledge of the Order of St John (KOTO) Badge, and the Total Defence Badge).
As St John the Baptist Day, 24 June, 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 Humanity', in reciting the St John Pledge.
The following badges are listed in order of precedence:
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.
The 4 categories are listed below:
| Category | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Ambulance Adult (AA) | Males of age 15 above with Adult First Aid Certificate | |
| Nursing Adult (NA) | Females of age 15 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 |
There are 2 frameworks for the competition, one for the Ambulance categories and one for the Nursing categories.
AA and AC teams are expected to complete the following as part of the competition:
NA and NC teams are expected to complete the following as part of the competition:
| 2018 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance | Adult | Cadet | Nursing | Adult | Cadet | |
| Champion | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Champion | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | Woodlands Ring Secondary School (Zone 6) | |
| 1st Runner-up | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | 1st Runner-up | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Chung Cheng High School (Main) (Zone 8) | |
| 2nd Runner-up | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | 2nd Runner-up | Nanyang Girls High School (Zone 5) | Deyi Secondary School (Zone 3) | |
| Best-in Footdrill | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Best-in Footdrill | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Woodlands Ring Secondary School (Zone 6) | |
| Best-in First Aid (Long) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Best-in First Aid | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | Deyi Secondary School (Zone 3) | |
| Best-in First Aid (Short) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Best-in Home Nursing | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | Chung Cheng High School (Main) (Zone 8) | |
| Best CPR | Woodlands Ring Secondary School (Zone 6) | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Best CPR | Anderson Secondary School (Zone 3) | Deyi Secondary School (Zone 3) | |
| Best Leader | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Best Leader | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | Nanyang Girls High School (Zone 5) | |
| Best in TOC | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | ||||
| 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance | Adult | Cadet | Nursing | Adult | Cadet | |
| Champion | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Champion | Nanyang Girls High School (Zone 5) | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | |
| 1st Runner-up | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7) | 1st Runner-up | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Chung Cheng High School (Main) (Zone 8) | |
| 2nd Runner-up | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | 2nd Runner-up | Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7) | Zhonghua Secondary School (Zone 5) | |
| Best-in Footdrill | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Best-in Footdrill | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7) | |
| Best-in First Aid (Long) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Best-in First Aid | Nanyang Girls High School (Zone 5) | Deyi Secondary School (Zone 3) | |
| Best-in First Aid (Short) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Best-in Home Nursing | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | |
| Best CPR | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Best CPR | Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7) | Xinmin Secondary School (Zone 7) | |
| Best Leader | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Zone 4) | Maris Stella High School (Zone 10) | Best Leader | Dunman High School (Zone 8) | CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School (Zone 1) | |
| Best in TOC | Hwa Chong Institution (Zone 7) | Zhonghua Secondary School (Zone 5) | ||||
| Nursing Adult | Nursing Cadet | Ambulance Adult | Ambulance Cadet | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Dunman High School (East) | NUS High School (Southwest) | Dunman High School (East) | Maris Stella High School (Northeast) | |
| 1st Runner-up | River Valley High School (Southwest) | Dunman High School (East) | Hwa Chong Institution (Northwest) | Anglican High School (East) | |
| 2nd Runner-up | Nan Hua High School (Southwest) | River Valley High School (Southwest) | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Southwest) | St Joseph’s Institution (North) | |
| Best-in Footdrill | Dunman High School (East) | Deyi Secondary School (North) | Hwa Chong Institution (Northwest) | Hwa Chong Institution (Northwest) | |
| Best-in First Aid | Dunman High School (East) | Xinmin Secondary School (Northeast) | Dunman High School (East) | Maris Stella High School (Northeast) | |
| Best-in Home Nursing | Nanyang Girls High School (Northwest) | NUS High School (Southwest) | |||
At present, there are a total of 4 uniforms of St. John Brigade Singapore, which are listed as follows:
Cadet members are presently only entitled to wear the Ceremonial and Field Uniform, the latter of 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 lions 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 or Beret is worn. | Same. Lady officers wear bowler hats or berets instead of peak caps and have the option of black culottes or slacks. | |
| Field Uniform | Same uniform as for Members except for collar badges/gorget patches. Beret is worn. | Same. Lady officers have the option of black culottes or slacks. | |
| Ceremonial Uniform | A long-sleeved version of the safari jacket, with mandarin collar. Full medals and Peak Cap or Beret is worn. | A long-sleeved version of the safari uniform with mandarin collar. Full medals and Bowler Hat or Beret is worn. | |
| Mess Kit | A wing-collared shirt with maroon cummerbund 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. |
| Rank | Adult Members | Warrant Officers, Officers and Assistant Superintendents | |
| Collar Badges |
| Rank | Brigade Presidents | Superintendents and Deputy Superintendents | Commissioners | |
| Gorget Patches |
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 their appointment.
| Rank | CC | DCC | SACC | ACC | |
| Insignia | |||||
| Title | Chief Commissioner | Deputy Chief Commissioner | Senior Assistant Chief Commissioner | Assistant Chief Commissioner |
| Rank | SUPT | DS | AS | 1OFFR | 2OFFR | 3OFFR | |
| Insignia | |||||||
| Title | Superintendent | Deputy Superintendent | Assistant Superintendent | First Officer | Second Officer | Third Officer |
| Rank | WO1 | WO2 | WO3 | WO4 | |
| Insignia | |||||
| Title | Warrant Officer Grade 1 Brigade Sergeant Major HQ Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer Grade 2 (Brigade / District) Sergeant Major (HQ / District) Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer Grade 3 District Sergeant Major District Warrant Officer | Warrant Officer Grade 4 District Warrant Officer |
| Rank | SSS | SSG | SGT | CPL | LCP | PTE | |
| Insignia | |||||||
| Title | Senior Staff Sergeant | Staff Sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance Corporal | Private |
Officers and members are entitled to receive the following Orders, Decorations and Medals:
*To be worn on the right chest.