358 replies to this topic

[L.C. Long]

Hi all, not in SJA or even SJAB(St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland). Im a member of the Order of Malta Ireland(previously known as Order of Malta Ambulance Corps). Im a member in Dublin in the Eastern Region. Got bored and decided to read this thread and found it very interesting how the johnnies work. OMAC is one of the 3 vollies in Ireland whos primary focus is first aid and ambulance cover the others being the Irish Red Cross and the SJAB. Im more than happy to answer any questions about how OMAC or the first aid levels work here in Ireland.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

The OMAC seems like it does the same as SJA, but its good that you are involved in something like that any-road! What do you mean by "OMAC is one of 3 'vollies' in Ireland"?

 

Also have you heard of the SOS Bus and if so is there one in Ireland that you know of; because I am a member of SJA and the SOS Bus here in England and they say that there is a similar (if not, an SOS Bus) type get-up like the SOS Bus in Ireland, but here we are a bit unsure...

 

Regards, Mike

[OMAC]

Welcome to the Forum!

 

The OMAC seems like it does the same as SJA, but its good that you are involved in something like that any-road! What do you mean by "OMAC is one of 3 'vollies' in Ireland"?

 

Also have you heard of the SOS Bus and if so is there one in Ireland that you know of; because I am a member of SJA and the SOS Bus here in England and they say that there is a similar (if not, an SOS Bus) type get-up like the SOS Bus in Ireland, but here we are a bit unsure...

 

Regards, Mike

 

Thank you Mike. Yes, we would do the exact same work as the SJA but OMAC would be the biggest in Ireland. By that i meant that the Order of Malta Ireland is one of 3 voluntary organisations that provide first aid and ambulance cover. The other 2 being The Irish Red Cross and the St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland(Same as the uk one). Regarding the SOS Bus, upon googling what exactly that is, ive never heard of such project before especially living here in Dublin where it would be the most likely place to be. If youve anymore questions id be happy to answer.

[L.C. Long]

I appreciate your response OMAC, I don't have any questions at the minute, but I won't be shy to ask in future, thanks mate

 

A short seven minute video of the SOS Bus here in Southend:

 

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=AeaJc4VJROg

[Entonox]

Well, certainly an interesting past few months. 

 

Had the air ambulance out for the first time today since starting at WMAS and certainly not been a quiet time. 

[L.C. Long]

Thank YOU OMAC, The order of Malta Ireland look like a great thing to be involved in! It does have some similarities to SJA, but it seems like it has money, does great work and does more than SJA!!!

 

Cheers for those videos, very interesting

[OMAC]

As we are a charitable org and receive zero government funding so we rely soely on donations so we only have as much money that is donated. The International disabled camp shown in the video is hosted in order of malta countries worldwide so we only hosted it this year and not a annual thing in Ireland. So much fundraising was done and companies also sponsored it so money was gathered that way too. It cost a little bit over €250,000 so it was a lot! Yes we do a lot of work but my fellow members are very dedicated hardworking people and we are all a big family!

[L.C. Long]

Aaaarrrr, you sound like you love doing your work, it also sounds like a great place to volunteer with you guys! Keep up the hard work! How many countries are there in the order of Malta countries? It may be similar to SJA with the Malta side as well because they are both linked in together somehow I believe.

 

Now, I don't know if anyone will agree with me, but St. John seems to be getting worse and worse every year! Cadets is just silly, we have to pay subs every year (£72, for what?), we do not get to do any trips or cross-cadet-championship things (such as cross division work), duties are getting less and less and overall it is getting stupid! It may be my division, but there are so many things that other cadets/members do all across the world, it seems we do next to nothing! 

[999madtom]

Now, I don't know if anyone will agree with me, but St. John seems to be getting worse and worse every year! Cadets is just silly, we have to pay subs every year (£72, for what?), we do not get to do any trips or cross-cadet-championship things (such as cross division work), duties are getting less and less and overall it is getting stupid! It may be my division, but there are so many things that other cadets/members do all across the world, it seems we do next to nothing! 

I totally agree with you! It is the same in my area like when we changed from Hampshire to South East lots of people who have been there for ages were suddenly taken away from their post.

[L.C. Long]

I totally agree with you! It is the same in my area like when we changed from Hampshire to South East lots of people who have been there for ages were suddenly taken away from their post.

 

If you are in cadets (or familiar with them) you'd know how off-putting the cost is (and the people if you're in an annoying division!). Even for adults, SJA just seems to be ruining itself, there are plenty of other places where you can do practically the same job!

[OMAC]

L.C.Long i certainly do love it! the Order of Malta is in over 120 countries worldwide but Ireland is only one 2 two countries to have an Ambulance Corps. the other being Germany. the full name of the Order of Malta is Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St, John of Jerusalem Rhodes and of Malta and dates to about 1048 A.D so there is some connections along the line haha We basically are the same things Ambulance side of things with a different name and different regulations. Again with OMAC we have the good units and the not so good units but with about 85 units across the country its bound to be like that! 

 

Also our cadets are from ages 10 to 15 and when u turn 16 u enter the senior unit and are a senior member unlike wat the johns do here with cadets up to 18.

[L.C. Long]

Well, as you say OMAC is like SJA in some respects!

 

I know this forum is called '...show off your kit!' but I have no kit to show!

[JB Blunden]

Hi my name is jamie I am going to be a new adult TFA for St. John Ambulance here in hove I am just wondering why I have not received my id badge or what a TFA needs as well as a polo shirt so if you could tell me that would be great thanks Jamie Michael Blunden

[theocd]

Hey,

The reason you won't have received your ID card is because they normally take a little while. As a new member, get used to being patient for things to arrive. Other than a Polo Shirt to go on duty you will need some black trousers and some black shoes/boots. I would try not to buy anything especially - as soon as you have done your two duties and your First Aid course, your new uniform will be ordered and you'll wear that from then on in. Things like Hi-Vis will be issued you if required.

Hope that helps, any questions, drop us a PM.

The OC-D

[Pieter Reavey]

Got my new Service uniform

It's looking a little scruffy, As i've just got it out of the box, needs ironing and stuff, Looks very impressive,
But my phone camera is letting me down with the quality pics

(The Jacket is reversible, The Arm pocket on the shirt is kind of weird, It's got 3 stitched in pen holders
(Or pen torch, Whatever you use them for personally) has the flap over it that when you have any pen/torches in
it, Doesn't close properly)

official advice, "if the transferred logo's fall off, Iron them back on"













(Same as the Cycle Responder Trousers, Can't get a good image of mine)

 

I wanted to ask if anyone with the new uniform, do you get new epaulets with it? cos i've see people with rubber ones, are these included with the uniform?

[999madtom]

I don't think so I think the unit leader gives them out.

[theocd]

The rubbered epaulettes have been around for years, my first sets issued with my black and whites were rubber. Epaulettes seem to be a bit like unicorn poo at the minute, but theoretically you should get two sets issued with your uniform.

 

The OC-D

[BritishArmyReserveCadets]

Well it's been a long time since I've posted on here, but just thought you's might like to know that I'm starting my BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science next March at Ipswich. Anyone else progressing with there clinical experience or doing anything different nowadays?

 

Ooh, and does anyone on here live over Ipswich/Suffolk way or work for EEAST?

[theocd]

Unfortunately I've gone the other way, I'm current 'unqualified' as I didn't revalidate - I just don't have the time alongside a Masters. Currently wavering on the edge of the organisation, I may go back in or I could well drop out.

Congratulations on your degree offer - hope you enjoy it!

 

The OC-D

[L.C. Long]

With regards to Epaulettes, my Unit Manager has always given them to me - I have recently been promoted to Unit Cadet Lead and am at grade 5 officer level - meaning two 'pips' - so I can only get them from Managers anyway.

 

BritishArmyReserveCadets - Best of luck with your University Degree. I am sure that you will love doing it - although it does seem like hard work, it is very worth while. I have chosen the student paramedic route myself and hope to work with LAS as emergency ambulance crew until the East of England Ambulance Service recruits student paramedics.