FIRST AID

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 66, 25 September 1939, Page 6

FIRST AID

FORMING ST. JOHN'S BRIGADE

MEETING IN WHAKATANE

Seventeen men, includinj; tvrtiflcate holders and moinbui s oj the association were present when, a meeting was heltl in Armstrong's showroom on Wednesday evening to discuss the formation of a St John Ambulance division in Whakatane. At the conclusion of tin explanation of the purposes of the association most of those present gave in their.names as willing- to attend , rsfc-riicl classes. Mr R. Ferry said that work had been carried on in "Whakatane for over 12 months, but they had not been officially recognised or registered as a division. Mr H. EL P<iin said tJi.it he ftad now been informed that the association had been registered though this "wds an act of courtesy only because 12 men were required to form a brigade and there in addition, be a reasonable prospect of getting 16 men. The brigade w a s a voluntary organisation on the same lines as the Territorials with officers, and the men undertaking on signing up to carry out certain work if required. Though anv man in theory could be required to attend such things as football matches, in practice it was only the men who were prepared to do that sort of Avork who would have it allotted to them. ■ qualifications. A member of the brigade must have qualified by passing the firstaid examination and gaining his certificate. The first-aid certificate of the Red Cross Society, the R. A.M. C. or the St Andrews Society, wer c acceptable qualifications for St John membership. For men who did nto have th# certificate they werc prepared to organise a class which would be given a minimum of six lectures. A brigade member must attend at least twelve parades during the year except in certain cases where provision was made for absence duiing such work as harvesting. "Even Hitler could not start a war until the harvest was gathered," added Mr Pain.

The St John'-; Ambulance- provider! sin organisnt'on which members could maintain efficiency. There was no financial assistance from licacl quarters and a division must find its own men, money and equipment. He added that he believed the Red Cross was going to run classes in home nursing, and that the first "would he left to the St Johri's Ambulance.. There was= slight differences in technique betwe.cn the two bodies in their handling of cases, but the Red Cross certificate was acceptable to them and he believed the St John certificate was acceptable to the Red Cross. uniforms. Mr Pain said that a uniform and equipment would cost from £12 to £15 which would have to be raised by public appeal. The division had a certain amount of bandages and other supplies. Mr J. Moricc suggested that everyone present should seelc to bring in four others, and Mr Pain approved this idea. Morrinsville had a class of l()f> receiving first aid instruction. After further discussion Mr Pain said that the first brigade practice would be held on Thursday night and the commencement of th<» first-aid classes would be announced later.

He gave ;v general survey of the •principles of first-aid work and briefly described the- functions of the skeleton. Before concluding his remarks he paid tribute to the assistance given in the past by the Press, and the interest now shown by the BEACON and a vote of thanks was carried.

Supper wns later served