How we Serve the Community
Medical First Response Services
The Welland unit of St. John Ambulance's Medical First Response Services provides trained and equipped volunteers to respond to any medical or traumatic emergencies that may occur during a community event. The volunteers often establish a medical post upon arrival at the event and operate from there as the situation dictates. The Medical First Responders do not transport their patient's to the hospital, for this service the MFR's call on the expertise of Niagara EMS.
If you are organizing an event please feel free to contact us to discuss the medical needs.
Please print off the following form, complete it and fax it to our office at 905-735-6432 and follow up with a call to our community services coordinator.
In order to ensure that we have volunteers to serve your event please contact us at least 30 days prior to your event. If there are less then 30 days until your event, please call our community services coordinator at (905) 735-6431.
Emergency Response Cyclist Team
In 2005 the Welland Unit of St. John Ambulance Medical First Response Services joined the thousands of agencies who have introduced "Bike Medics".
The men and women who volunteer for this program undergo an intensive two day training program that includes several different areas of bicycle handling. Topics of this training include all pertinent legislation, safety, handling on and off road, cycling in heavy traffic, cycling in and around crowds, mounting and dismounting the bike in "unique" circumstances, emergency braking and negotiating obstacles.
The feed back from the community thus far has been fantastic. The Emergency Response Cyclists are much more approachable by members of the community and they can, and often do, access areas that are far too remote for a traditional ambulance based response.
The bikes are fully equipped with all of the items required for basic life support including defibrillators and oxygen therapy equipment and they always operate in teams of at least two.
Emergency Response Service
During a "declared" emergency the volunteers of St. John Ambulance's Medical First Response Services can provide local officials with trained personnel and equipment to augment their existing resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To date St. John Ambulance personnel have responded to declared emergencies such as the SARS outbreak, train derailments, tsunamis, tornadoes, ice storms, flooding and forest fires just to name a few.
Emergency Response In Action
On August 20th, 2006, two members of Welland's Medical First Response unit were the first rescuers to respond to a motor vehicle collision on Canboro Rd. in the town of West Lincoln.
Working with the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, Haldimand EMS, Niagara EMS, and the West Lincoln Fire Department, the MFRs were able to provide emergency care to the casualties until they were transported to hospital.
Several members are equipped with trauma bags and supplies to keep in their personal vehicles so they can respond to an emergency anytime, anywhere.
Educational Lectures and Demonstrations
Our volunteers are always happy to provide short lectures or demonstrations on first aid, water safety and emergency preparedness to community groups or schools.
For information on our full range of first aid and CPR courses please contact our business office at (905) 735-6431.
Therapy Dog Program
The Welland/Port Colborne branches Therapy Dog program started in August 1994 and currently has approximately 30 members and dogs visiting people who are confined to institutions such as nursing homes and hospitals in Welland, Port Colborne and Fonthill. In addition to their weekly visits, the members and their dogs often participate in various displays, presentations, and parades, where they have won numerous awards.
All prospective members must attend a mandatory pre-test seminar and soon thereafter, the dogs and members are tested by certified St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog evaluators to ensure that they have a sound temperament. All dogs must be at least 1 year of age, well groomed, any size, pure or mixed breed dog, have up-to-date vaccine certificates, and must be of sound temperament.
The members and dogs wear 'uniform' pieces to identify them as belonging to St. John Ambulance, handlers wear a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog shirt and the dogs wear a St. John Ambulance bandana.
Tom Fowler, Knight of St. John, along with Sandra Vernile, a resident at St. Charles Retirement Village, presented Simon, a six year old American Cocker Spaniel, with his 500th Visit Award. Simon is owned by Virginia Davies and is just the 3rd dog in the Niagara Region to earn this award.
Tom Fowler, Knight of St. John, presenter
Mary Anne Griepsma and Polly (bronze award for 75 visits)
Judith Birney and Marley (silver award for 150 visits)
Christine Whatmough and Courtney (bronze award for 75 visits)
Therapy Dogs provide unconditional love, intimacy, social interaction, companionship, motivation and stress reduction to every facility they visit. Any persons interested in adding a therapy dog visit to their facilities program, an informative presentation or in becoming a member can contact the office at 905-735-6431.