FRANCIS RACINE francis.racine@eap.on.ca
countless first-aid volunteers who are trained on a weekly basis to tackle most medical needs. “They are very hard working and some are the recipient of life saving awards.” In total, two Mobile First Aid Post, in essence ambulances, are used by the St. John Ambulance. “We can’t call them ambulances but they sure look like them,” explains Brunette. “In them is everything that is needed to assist the volunteers in treating citizens.” In addition to the first aid services they freely offer to events, the organization is also home to several therapy dogs. “We have 18 owners who stepped forward and volun- teered their dog to help,” says Johnston. “We make sure to evaluate every dog and make sure they are capable of playing the role of a therapeutic canine. It takes about half a day.” The owners then travel to several nurs- ing homes in the region on a weekly basis. “Some residents miss the dogs more than the volunteers,” explains a laughing Brunette. But for volunteers, making the trek from Cornwall to Alexandria can be quite time consuming. “I recently spoke to one
cannot thank them enough for what they do. They are wonderful.” One of the organization’s volunteer has alsomade it a point to visit the St. Lawrence College around exam times or Christmas. “Some kids don’t go back to their home at Christmas time, so she goes there with her dog,” says Johnston. “It can only take about 10 to 20 minutes and you can see that the students feel a lot better. They are more relaxed.” Working solely from donations Although their mission is honorable and their services are greatly appreciated by the community, the duo present explains that it’s quite difficult for the organization to keep its head above the water. “With costs rising everywhere, it gets
continued growth in first-aid training, St. John Ambulance also began a proud trad- ition of volunteer work in our communities. Soon the volunteers of St. John became a common and welcome sight in times of emergency in communities across the country. “Outside of Canada, the St. John Ambulance has been helping others for close to 900 years,” explains a proud Johnston. The exact date when the Order of the Hospital of St John first came into being is unknown although it was about 1070, when a hospice—a place of care—was established in Jerusalembymonks froma neighbouring Benedictine abbey to care for the growing number of Christians making the long and dangerous pilgrimage to the holy city. The hos-
Crossing the front door of Cornwall’s St. John Ambulance’s office is like entering a sort of community hall of fame. Multiple awards are located on nearly every wall of the reception area. Next to them are older pictures of volunteers, all sporting a wide smile while giving some of their time. Crossing a short hallway leads to the non-profit organization’s conference room. Again, awards plaster the walls, proving just how respected and needed the St. John Ambulance truly is in Cornwall. “We re- cently celebrated our 75th anniversary in the city,” explains boardmember Scott Johnston, while he takes off his heavy winter coat. “We provide community services during gatherings.” In then comesMichele Brunette, sporting a TimHorton’s coffee cup in one hand. The chair of the board of directors, a well-spoken and outgoing woman, is quick to take a seat and explain just how the organizationworks. “We protect the public by being on site,” she says.”We go to hockey games, polar dips and bigger gatherings.” The organ- ization has
difficult to operate,” stresses Johnston. “Both our Mobile First Aid Posts have over 300 000 kilom- eters and to be honest, if the transmission or motor blew, we would have to park them. We can’t af- ford major repairs at the moment.”
pice soon de- veloped into a hospital and in 1113, the Pope confirmed its i n d e p e n d - ence. Over the next 40 years it developed into
“Outside of Canada, the St. John Ambulance has been helping others for close to 900 years”
of our volunteers and she said she was very tired,” says the chair. “We
In addition, Brunette highlights that the organization doesn’t receive any funding from the City. “We used to get funding from the United Way of S, D & G,” ex- plains the chair. “We are careful not to ask for money. We only state our services are free, but that donations are appreciated.” She also says that onmore than one occasion, patients were surprised to learn that St. John’s Ambulance is a not-for-profit organization. “Maybe it’s the way our volunteers dress,” she admits. “I know they look and are very professional.” Johnston is quick to point out that thematerial used to help treat some patients has to be replaced. “If you were to break your arm in a carnival ride, let’s say and we fixed you up before sending you to the hospital, we simply would never get back the material we used to come to your aid,” he says, while pointing at his arm. “That means that we have to go out and purchase some more.” But the St. John Ambulance does offer first aid classes and they do charge for them. “We don’t like doing it, but we must,” explains Brunette. Helping other close to 1000 years In 1883, in Quebec City, the first Canadian branch of St. John Ambulance to teach first-aid courses was established. Shortly thereafter, courses were being of- fered in Kingston. In the next 10 years, St. John Ambulance grew to be a national or- ganization and in 1892, it had 12 branches teaching first aid from coast-to-coast. In those early years, alongside the
a religious andmilitary order, with its broth- ers and sisters providing care to the poor and sick of any faith. They also took on the additional role of defending all Christians and others within their care when they were threatened.
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The St. John Ambulance of Cornwall recently celebrated its 75 th anniversary. Pictured are Yvette Delorme, Williamson Unit Chief, Medical First Responder Division, Michele Brunette, St. John Ambulance Cornwall Board Chair and Carilyne Hebert, councillor for the City of Cornwall.
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The Journal Cornwall
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Wednesday, January 20, 2016
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