1 JULY 2009

MESSAGE FROM DR CHEN SZE HUA

CHIEF COMMISSIONER
ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE SINGAPORE

Principals, Teachers, St. John Ambulance Brigade Officers, Cadets, John Badgers and Students,

1.         Today is St. John Day and we are joining the entire St. John family in the Commonwealth to celebrate the birthday of the St. John movement. The St. John movement has more than 900 years of history. St. John helps the sick and the the injured regardless of nationality, status, race or religion. Our motto “For the Service of Mankind” constantly reminds us of our mission and of our role. In this fast changing world, we should be alert of the changes in the world as well as happenings around us so that we can always review our responsibilities and our vision.

2.         The past 2 months have been dramatic. Just 5 days before May Day, the world was stunned on 26 April 2009 by Influenza A (H1N1 – 2009) that hit Mexico. 

3.         The new Influenza A (H1N1) is a sober reminder that we cannot take things for granted. It showed us that the potential threat posed by a pandemic is very real, even in Singapore.  We have 315 confirmed cases as of 26 June 2009.  You must continually prepare yourselves and be ready to extend your service and assistance to your fellow human beings in need and in distress when required.

4.         The Brigade has an important task in teaching our members and officers the necessary First Aid knowledge and Nursing skills in emergency care and in various situations; and to provide more opportunities for our members and volunteers to be involved with the community that we reside in, work or grow up with.  

5.            Members and officers must update and upgrade yourselves in First Aid skills and knowledge, encourage your family, fellow pupils and friends to join us for first aid training. You should also seek opportunities, for example, to perform public duties, to put first aid skills into practice and not hesitating to come forward to provide first aid assistance.  Only with this sense of social commitment will we ensure Singapore remains our safe and secure home.

6.         The St. John movement exemplifies values and principles tried and tested over a long period. We are an organisation over 900 years old and established in Singapore over three quarter of a century ago. St. John promotes habits of obedience, discipline, self-respect, and reverence. Besides the teaching of first aid and home nursing, we organise healthy outdoor programmes and provide a balance of spiritual, physical, educational and social activities. Further, we involve our members in programmes such as anti-drug abuse, civil defence, energy and water conservation and public duty.  All these make up a worthy and commendable package. It is not only a good investment in your personal future, it will also help you to play your role more effectively as responsible citizens in the Singapore of tomorrow. For instance when called upon to organise and carry out a community service project, opportunities abound for our members to share experiences, highlight learning points, and make an analysis of what was well done and what areas needed improvement in an activity. Certainly there are also opportunities for much fun and laughter amidst serious learning. By all accounts, participation in the St. John movement contributes to many happy memories for members and officers when they recall their school days.

7.         On this note, I would like to wish all of you a happy and meaningful St. John Day.

Please be informed that Corps SO G(V) Chen Jian Wen will be promoted to ZSO
G(V) with effect from 1 Jul 2009.  He will hold the appointment as a Zone
Public Duty Officer.

For your dissemination, please.

Thanks and regards

Ag. ZC

You are invited to participate our Walkathon 2008 on Sunday, 14th September, 2008 at 8.00am.  Our Chairman, Board of Presidents Committee, SJAB, Dr Leong Heng Keng, BBM(L), O.St.J. has kindly consented to officiate this event.

        Programme

        8.00am  -  Arrival of Participants
        8.30am  -  Warm-Up Exercise
        8.45am  -  Group Photo Taking and Flag-Off
        9.45am  -  Participants back to starting/finishing point (NHQ)
        10.15am  -  Presentation Ceremony & Lucky Draw (tentatively)

As the car park lots in NHQ is limited and the centre portion of the car park will be taken up by participants as assembly area, there will be a few car park lots left for VIPs and invited guests.  Hence, you are advised to park your vehicle at neighbouring building car park.

Your attendance and cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Please be informed that with immediate effect, St John Ambulance Singapore URL is at http://www.sjas.org.sg.

You will be able to find information pertaining to St John matters in this link, e.g. Brigade forms (you can download BF18 for this coming AGI), latest guidelines for CAA 2009, etc.

Regards,
Ag ZC

On obtaining twelve (12) proficiency badges which may include the earlier six (6) proficiency badges considered for the awarding of the Commissioner’s Badge and having not less than 24 months of efficient service (from the date of enrolment into the Brigade), cadets and members whose Brigade and Corps Service have been satisfactory may apply for the Chief Commissioner’s Badge awarded by the Chief Commissioner.

To qualify for the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, a member of an Adult unit myst have been promoted from the Cadet Corps and passed a minimum of four (4) subjects before his/her transfer to the Adult unit. Furthermore, he or she must not be above twenty (20) years of age as on the date of qualifying the badge.

Similarly, a cadet member must not be above twenty (20) years of age as on the date of qualifying of the badge.

For the awarding of the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, the twelve (12) proficiency badges must meet the following criteria:

• One must be “Knowledge of the Order”
• Group I (Welfare and service): At least 2 subjects
• Group II (Outdoor activities): At least 2 subjects
• Group III (Crafts and hobbies): Not more than 2 subjects

Not more than two (2) may be subjects taken as part of the school curriculum during normal school hours.

Members who have been awarded the Chief Commissioner’s Badge will be nominated for the Grand Prior Award.

On fulfilling the requirements for the award of the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, cadets and members may apply for the Chief Commissioner’s Badge. The Chief Commissioner’s Badge is to be worn one finger-breadth above the name-tag on the uniform.

Only the Chief Commissioner’s Badge and not the Commissioner’s Badge (if previously awarded) is to be worn upon the awarding of the Chief Commissioner’s Badge. However, individual proficiency badges may still be worn.

On obtaining six proficiency badges and having not less than twelve months of efficient service (from the date of enrolment into the Brigade), cadets and members whose Brigade and Corps Services have been satisfactory may apply for the Commissioner’s Badge awarded by the Zone Commissioner.

To qualify for the Commissioner’s Badge, a member of an Adult unit must have been promoted from the Cadet Corps and passed a minimum of four subjects before his/her transfer to the Adult unit. Furthermore, he or she must not be above twenty years of age on the date of qualifying the badge.

Similarly, a cadet member must not be above twenty years of age as on the date of qualifying of the badge.

For the awarding of the Commissioner’s Badge, the six proficiency badges must be from the following groups:

• Group I (Welfare and Services): At least one subject
• Group II (Outdoor activities): At least one subject
• Group III (Crafts and hobbies): At least one subject
• Group IV (General): At least one subject in addition to the “Knowledge of the Order of St John” badge

On fulfilling the requirements for the award of the Commissioner’s Badge, cadets and members may apply for the Commissioner’s Badge. The Commissioner’s Badge is to be worn one finger-breadth above the name-tag on the uniform. However, the Commissioner’s Badge must not be worn upon the awarding of the Chief Commissioner’s Badge.

On 7th January 1990, the Cadet Proficiency Badge Scheme was launched to encourage our cadet members to further enhance their interest in subjects outside their normal curriculum and to widen their interests by carrying out these activities in their leisure time.

A wider range of activities is open for the members to choose from, depending on the individual’s aptitude and inclination. The pursuit of badges encourages members to develop their personal skills and knowledge besides complementing the first aid, home nursing and footdrill that training members undergo during weekly parades/meetings. Hence, enhancing an all-rounded education for these future leaders of our organisation.

Cadets may start working on these badges the moment they are enrolled as the members of St. John Ambulance Brigade. They are encouraged to make personal progress with additional courses over and above subjects that are taught during the weekly parades/meetings so as to achieve the Unicorn Badge, the Commissioner’s Badge and subsequently the Chief Commissioner’s Badge.

The proficiency badges are divided into 4 groups as follow:

Group I : Welfare and Service
Group II : Outdoor Activities
Group III : Crafts and Hobbies
Group IV : General

Instruction and examination

Instruction and examination will be based on the syllabus for each us subject/badge. The syllabuses are laid with the intention of encouraging interest in the subject and the attainment of the adequate and/or skills which could be applied practically rather than mere memorisation of facts and figures for the purpose of passing the examination. The syllabuses have deliberately omitted instructional matter so that more latitude is given to the instructor who must be qualified in his/her own subject.

Subjects taken at Secondary 2 with a pass above 60% will be recognised as a pass in the appropriate subject/badge. The school examination must be passed while the candidate is a member of the Brigade. A pass at GCE ‘0′ level in an appropriate subject will also qualify a candidate for a proficiency badge provided the candidate gives proof of having put the knowledge to some practical use outside school hours (either by having applied this knowledge in the performance of some service or, in some cases, by taking a short practical test).

References are included in the syllabuses that may be useful to both the instructors and candidates.

Proficiency certificates

All successful candidates will be issued a Proficiency Certificate by the National Headquarters; the records being retained by the Zone Headquarters until the candidate has qualified for the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, when they must forwarded to the National Headquarters for processing. The gaining of all certificates should be entered on the individual BFC 4 and initialed as correct by the officer-in-charge of the Corps.

Exemptions
In case of physical disability or handicap, conditions laid down above for Group II (Outdoor Activities) will be waived upon the submission of a medical certificate/report from either the Corps or Zone Surgeon. In such cases, any other subject from Other Groups may replace the requirements for subjects in this Group. Nevertheless, members and cadets must still achieve six or twelve proficiency badges to qualify for the Commissioner’s Badge and the Chief Commissioner’s Badge respectively

Implementation
Each Cadet Corps should aim to organise a series of Proficiency Courses to be conducted during weekly parade/meeting hours. However, it may not be possible to cover all various types of subjects required for the members to qualify for the Commissioner’s Badge or the Chief Commissioner’s Badge due to physical, manpower or time constraints. Hence members are encouraged to take up the other necessary subjects on their own to qualify for these two prestigious awards.

The National Headquarters may from time to time organise courses to train officers to become qualified instructors in the various subjects in the scheme. Where there is a demand, courses for specific subjects may also be conducted for the members. When such courses are planned, notice will be given through the Brigade Circular and places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

Cadet Corps encountering difficulties in the implementation should seek assistance from the Chief Staff Officer (Youth Affairs) or the Cadet Proficiency Badge Committee instead of depriving their members of the chance to embark on this scheme. Similarly, cadets who are transferred to the Adult unit should continue striving for the Commissioner’s Badge and Chief Commissioner’s Badge, provided they are still eligible.

Such members should seek assistance from their originating Cadet Corps Superintendents or the Chief Staff Officer (Youth Affairs) or the Cadet Proficiency Badge Committee.

Wearing of Proficiency badges
Cadets may wear the Proficiency Badge on their uniforms on gaining their Proficiency Certificate, in the order as laid down in the Brigade Dress Regulation.

Ordinary Proficiency Badges are to be worn in neat rows with no more than four badges in a row. There is to be no gap between succeeding badges or between rows of badges. The first row of badges is to be worn one finger breadth below the shoulder flash on the left sleeve.

Ordinary Proficiency Badges arc to be worn from front to back or left to right when facing the left sleeve, with no gap between badges.

Proficiency Badges under Group I are to be worn first, followed by those under Group II, III and IV, in that order, regardless of the time the badges are gained.

“FLAP” made of white uniform material can be used for putting ordinary proficiency badges, if more than 12 badges are gained.

Achievement badges are to be worn one finger-breadth above the name-tag on the uniform. If more than one achievement badges are gained, these badges must be worn from the outer to the inner part of the right chest.

Achievement badges are to be worn one finger-breadth between badges and also placed from lower to higher grade of the badges.

Only cadets not above 20 years of age are allowed to put on proficiency badges on their uniforms.

Adult members are not allowed to put on proficiency badges on their uniforms. However, they may put on the Commissioner’s Badge or the Chief Commissioner’s Badge if awarded.

Commissioned officers will not put on any proficiency badge, or the Commissioner’s Badge and the Chief Commissioner’s Badge.

On gaining the commissioner’s Badge, this badge may be worn in addition to the individual proficiency badges. However, when a member is further awarded the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, only the Chief Commissioner’s Badge is to be worn in addition to the individual Proficiency badges. The Commissioner’s Badge must be removed and not to be worn together with the Chief Commissioner’s Badge.

Individual proficiency badges may not be worn when a cadet is promoted to an Adult unit. However, the Commissioner’s Badge or the Chief Commissioner’s Badge, as the case may be, may be still worn when the member is in the Adult unit. A commissioned officer, however, will not put on any of these badges including the Commissioner’s Badge and the Chief Commissioner’s Badge.

1. Know the correct warming up and cooling down procedures
2. Know the necessary techniques for each event that they qualify for.
3. Candidates may qualify by attaining the minimum standards shown below in at least two ‘field’ and two ‘track’ events.

The standard to be achieved in any single event will be that shown for the candidate’s age at the time of taking the test in that particular event.

Tests in all events need not be taken at the same time but must be at the same age.

1. Keep albums, scrap-books, specimen trays, etc. properly captioned and show they have followed the pursuit for at least six months from the date of entering for this Proficiency Subject.
2. Those who have already built up collections must show a current and ongoing interest. Must produce the collection at the examination and give 75% satisfactory answers to the examiner’s questions (verbal) that must include how the interest started and the candidate’s general knowledge of the subject of his/her collection.
3. Be able to name the tools and describe their uses for the collection.
4. Give a brief account on how you started your collection and what really inspired you most.
5. Having achieved your collection, describe how you can reach out to convince others in this collection.

Note: Photograph albums will NOT count unless they relate to one specific subject which cannot be collected, such as cloud formations, protected plants, buildings of architectural interest, railway engines, etc.

1. Know how to convert from imperial to metric measurement and to use a measuring rule and demonstrate it at the examination.
2. Know the different types of tools, nails, screws, tap-washers, nuts and bolts, etc and wall plugs. Know where, why and how to use them. Be able to explain during the examination.
3. Know how to plug a wall using a ‘Rawiplug’ (wall-plug).
4. Be able to use the tools required for simple woodwork and small household jobs, like fit a pair of hinges to a cupboard door and hang the door; fasten with a magnetic catch; hang cupboard to a brick and plaster wall using plugs.
5. Be able to replace tap-washers.
6. Know the difference between ‘powers and ‘lighting’ circuits and the importance of switching off the mains supply when carrying out work on the electrical installation.
7. Know how to change or repair a main fuse.
8. Know the colour coding for a 3-core wiring system and at the examination, wire a 13-amp plug.
9. Know the different types of switches used in a house and how to replace them.
10. Be able to use a soldering iron to solder a leak and know how to use do-it-yourself bonding materials for similar purposes.
11. Know how to clean a blocked ‘U’ pipe under a sink and how to replace and properly seal screw plug at the base of the pipe.
12. Be able to replace a fluorescent tube and an incandescent lamp.