Once again the division has had success in First Aid competitions with our team winning the National First Aid Trophy (The Iveagh Cup) which was held in St John Ambulance National Headquarters (Lumsden House) on Saturday 14th of April.

First Aid Competitions in St John Ambulance were established by Dr John Lumsden in the 1906 as a way of encouraging training and measuring its effectiveness. The trophy itself is steeped in history having been presented to the Brigade by Viscount Iveagh Edward Guinness. Originally won in 1906 by Belfast Fire Brigade but most notably in the period of 1963 to 1993 when the First Aid Competition was won an impressive 25 times by the Hammond Lane Division.

The teams on the day had to undergo 3 test. First was an individual oral examination on the recognition of Dehydration. Secondly the remaining two members of the team faced a Dual Practical first aid test with two patients, one with a penetrating chest wound following a stabbing and the second with a fracture to the femur. Finally the team reunited to undertake a team test first aid scenario.

In the final first aid team test scenario the teams were put in a scenario where they were supposedly on duty at a boxing event. While the event is being set up a lighting rig becomes dislodged and falls into the ring injuring 2 workers. One worker has suffered a head injury and has been rendered unconscious while the second has suffered a fracture of the leg. Several minutes into the test a third worker arrives on scene who is undergoing a diabetic emergency and requires an intake of sugary foods.

Ultimately it was our teams’ management of the unconscious patient that propelled them to victory. Very quickly realising that with an unconscious patient with obvious severe head injuries there was absolutely no way of ruling out the possibility of neck or spinal injuries the team immediately kept the patients spine in a neutral alignment, not moving the patient and supporting his head for the duration of the test.

In 2002 our Division (Lansdowne Division) moved to its current location in the Finglas area and formed a link with the local Cadet Division (Finglas/Glasnevin). Since then the division has competed every year in the “Iveagh” competition with varying results. However this year, 2012, (the tenth anniversary of moving into the Finglas area) the division comfortably won the “premier” first aid trophy.

The team, which consisted of Cadet Superintendent Martin Harte, Member Gareth Bollard and Member Garry Walsh are all ex-Cadet Sergeants of the Finglas/Glasnevin Cadet Division which shows what a strong link now exists between the two divisions today.

Superintendent Phil Byrne congratulated the team and wished them well in their celebrations. “I’m delighted, it’s been a long time coming, I couldn’t be more happy for the team and the division.”

Martin Harte commented “It’s a first for the division, but it won’t be the last. Thank you to everyone who helped out with the training.”

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Following on from our success at the National Individual Competitions our division decided to enter the National Junior Caring Team Competition. This posed a problem from the off as the competitions were only 3 weeks away, other divisions had already put in some months of training and the National Individual Champion in Caring (Emily Clarke) was leading our First Aid Team and logistically no cadet can be on both teams. However this rearrangement now meant the Division would not only be in the First Aid competition and the Caring competition but also the Overall Junior Cup.

None the less it was decided to set up a Caring team and re model the First Aid team (despite being only 3 weeks from the National Competitions). Two members from the first aid team (including Emily) were moved into the Caring team and joined by our own Divisional Champion (Leah Keogh) and her sister. Meanwhile our First Aid team had to be re-structured with super sub Shannon Farrell taking a place and new to competitions Keith Kirwan taking over the leaders role.

With the above changes in place the division faced a big task if the teams were to stand a chance of actually being competitive. It was a lot of work in 3 weeks but not only did the team members sign up to it but so did the whole division. Training sessions were run 3 days a week and much credit must go to Martin, Garry, Bridget, Karen, Gareth, Craig and all the NCO’s and cadets who helped with these training sessions.

On the day of the competitions the teams, their trainers and supporters headed over to our National Headquarters hopeful of what might be. At 10am the teams were locked down and the competitions began. For both teams the competition consisted of two individual practical’s, individual orals and a team test.

In the First Aid the two individual practical participants were given scenarios involving patients who had suffered a heart attack while the two individual participants were quizzed on Shock. It concluded with a 12 minute team test were all four team mates were presented with a scenario involving 2 casualties who had collided on roller skates. The injuries/conditions they were expected to treat included a cut to the head, an open fracture of the leg, a severe bleed, a fracture to the ribs and shock in both casualties.

On the Caring side the individual practical participants were presented with a client who needed help to take medication and the two individual oral participants were quizzed on the rules for giving medications. Finally the team were presented with a scenario were they were asked to call into a home for the disabled were the staff had supposedly all called in sick for the day. The team were left instructions with what was required to be done for the clients for the day (although we were the only team to establish their requirements without the needs without the use of notes). The 3 clients (1 wheelchair bound, 1 visually impaired and 1 hearing impaired) had a range of requirements from simple observation to helping with food preparation or assistance taking medication.

The results were an absolute tribute to the hard work and dedication put in by the teams, their trainers and their supporters. The Caring team walked away with the competition and the First Aid team competed strongly and came 3rd. The results of both teams were good enough to see them win the National Junior Overall Cup.

Junior First Aid Team – Keith Kirwan, Nicole McQuillan, Brandon Mythen, Shannon Farrell.

Junior Caring Team – Emily Clarke, Aoife Keogh, Leah Keogh, Jordan Hendy.

Garry Walsh said “with such a short time to prepare it was great to see the whole division step up to the challenge, and succeed.”

Bridget Bonner offered “well done guys, we always knew there was nothing you couldn’t do if yis put your mind to it”

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Congratulations to Cadet Superintendent Martin Harte and Corporal Lorraine Hanley who recently passed their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) exams. Together with 6 other candidates from St John Martin and Lorraine began the course in September 2011 and successfully completed the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Councils National Qualification in Emergency Medical Technology exams in late February.

Emergency Medical Technician is a qualification recognised by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) who are the Emergency Medical Services regulatory body.

St John Emergency Medical Technicians are highly trained in:

• Cardiac First Response
• Pre Hospital Emergency Response
• Patient Assessment & Diagnostics
• Medical & Trauma Emergencies
• Obstetric & Pediatric Emergencies
• Communications
• Inter muscular injections
• Actions at an emergency

The course is examined externally by way of multiple choice questions and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

The divisions own Bridget Bonner, Ciarán Keane, Niall Owens & Garry Walsh will now follow in their foot steps by embarking on an Emergency First Responder course, which is a pre-requisite to getting a place in the St John EMT programme. Meanwhile approximately 15 members of the division will begin their Cardiac First Responder – Advanced training and we wish them all the best of luck.



Karen Sinnott said “on behalf of all the Cadets congratulations to Martin & Lorraine we’re all delighted for you.”

Phil Byrne offered “We are very proud of the hard work and commitment both Martin & Lorraine clearly put in to achieve this reward”

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As the new year begins our members will be returning to the normal business providing first aid cover at large and small events up and down the country. This year our volunteers will provide cover at events as big as Westlife concerts in Croke Park, Madonna in Aviva and local parish and community fetes.

St John Ambulance members are not only trained in First Aid but also as Cardiac First Responders, Emergency First Responders and Emergency Medical Technicians. Our members can provide personnel cover, AED cover or ambulance cover for any event. For more information please contact info@stjohnfinglasglasnevin.ie

In 2012 St John Ambulance members will once again compete in local and national first aid, resuscitation (CFR) and Caring competitions, these will take place as follows:

• National Cadet Individual First Aid & Caring Competitions 11th February
• Junior Cadet National First Aid & Caring Competitions 3rd March
• Senior Cadet National First Aid & Caring Competitions 24th March

• Cork Regional Cadet First Aid Competitions 31st March
• Adult Individual First Aid & Caring Competition 13th April
• Adult Novice & Senior First aid and Dual Caring Competition 14th April
• Cork Regional Adult First Aid & Caring Competition 5th May (provisionally)
• Cadet Divisional Camp 7th – 14th July
• National Weekend Camp 16th – 20th August (provisionally)
• Junior & Senior Cadet Resuscitation (CPR) Competition 6th October
• EFR/EMT National Competition 20th October
• Maura Dockery Memorial Competition (First Aid) 3rd November
• Probationary, Junior & Senior Cadet Divisional First Aid Competitions 30th November
• Junior & Senior Caring Competitions 7th December
• Probationary, Junior & Senior Cadet Divisional Resuscitation (CPR) Competitions 14th December

St John Ambulance is a recognised training institute and is continually running courses in

• Occupational First Aid
• First Aid
• Cardiac First Response (CFR)
• Emergency First Response (EFR)
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)


For more information on these courses please see the information on our website or contact our Divisional Training Officer martin.harte@stjohnfinglasglasnevin.ie

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Once again the St John Ambulance competition season has gotten off to a good start for the Finglas/Glasnevin Cadet Division. Annually St John Ambulance Cadets from all over the country partake in First Aid and Caring (for the sick) competitions.

The competitions are broken into two levels (senior and junior). Junior Cadets are aged no older than 13 on the 1st day of the year of the competition and Senior Cadets would be 14 or older on the 1st of the year but may not be 18 or older on the day of the competition. With the Individual & Team competitions being held on separate days.

In the first aid competitions the candidates are presented with a patient (or patients in the team competition) and they must diagnose what is wrong with the patient, render the appropriate first aid and summon the relevant assistance (ambulance, fire services, Gardaí). In the care competitions the team or individual is presented with a scenario requiring them to act as a care giver in a home or other setting to a person(s).

The St John Ambulance Brigade recently held its National Individual Cadet Competitions with a total of 73 individuals competing from all over the country. Our own Lance Corporal Emily Clarke took first place in the Junior Caring category and we are all delighted for her.

We would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate the winners on the day as follows:
Junior Care Individual – Emily Clarke, Finglas/Glasnevin Cadet Division
Junior First Aid Individual – A.Heffernan, Blanchardstown Cadet Division
Senior Care Individual – C.Wilton, Walkinstown Drimnagh Castle Cadet Division
& B.Martin, Blanchardstown Cadet Division
Senior First Aid Individual – C.McCormack, Foxrock Boys Cadet Division

To coin a phrase “A lot done, more to do” the Cadet Team Competitions will take place over the next few weeks followed by the annual trip to Cork for the Southern Command First Aid Competitions. We will be fielding strong competitors in all competitions and we wish them the best of luck on the day.

Garry Walsh said “Well done Emily ye did yourself and the division proud”

Bridget Bonner said “Delighted for ye Emily, we know ye put in a lot of hard work to achieve this”

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Congratulations to all the new Probationary Cadets who tonight passed their First Aid exam. Following a large recruitment campaign and 8 weeks of training tonight the Probationary Cadets got a chance to show senior St John examiners all the skills and knowledge they learned.

St. John Ambulance Cadets are highly trained in all aspects of first aid including Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), haemorrhage control, cardiac conditions and fracture immobilisation.

New Cadets joining the St John Ambulance join initially as Recruits and complete a full first aid course. Following successful completion of the first aid course and examination they become Probationary Cadets awaiting enrolment into St. John Ambulance as Cadets.

This years recruits were trained by Cdt Sgt Karen Sinnott and Cdt Sgt Gareth Bollard so congratulations to them. Our thanks also go to their examiners, Staff Officer J. Deans and Superintendent M. Deans who came out to examine the Recruits.

We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Cadets who passed their re-exam on the same night and thank their examiners Assistant Commissioner P. Corcoran and Staff Officer M. Oman.

Martin Harte said “it is great to see so many new members coming into the division, it shows we have a strong future ahead of us.”

Karen Sinnott offered “Congratulations to everyone, it was a great night for the division”

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The St John Ambulance winter competition season has gotten off to a great start for the Finglas/Glasnevin Cadet Division.

Annually St John Ambulance Cadets from all over the country partake in First Aid and CPR (resuscitation) competitions.

The competitions are broken into two levels (senior and junior). Junior Cadets are aged no older than 13 on the 1st day of the year of the competition and Senior Cadets would be 14 or older on the 1st of the year but may not be 18 or older on the day of the competition.

The winter season sees 4 different disciplines competed for, CPR (junior & senior), wheelchair handling (Dr Patricia Sheehan Trophy), Bedmaking (Miss K. Egan Trophy) & First Aid (Mrs Maura Dockery Trophy) to be held 12th November.

The CPR competition consists of the candidates being involved in attempting to resuscitate a patient who is not breathing and has no signs of circulation. This includes all elements of the “chain of survival”.

The “Wheelchair Handling” competition was originated by Dr, Patricia Sheehan in the 1980’s and is aimed at educating young members in the ability to assist disabled people in life & gaining access to services etc.

The “Bedmaking” competition isn’t as simple as it sounds. Originated by Miss K. Egan it is aimed to test the competitor’s abilities deal with a patient who spends most of, if not all their time in bed. This includes changing bed sheets/blankets with a potentially bed ridden patient still in the bed.

We would like to take this opportunity to also congratulate the winners so far as follows:

Wheelchair Handling – R.Downes/C.Wilton, Walkinstown Driminagh Castle Division
Bedmaking – N.McQuillan/R.Richards, Finglas/Glasnevin Division
Junior CPR – Foxrock Girls Division
Senior CPR – K.Sinnott/G.Bollard, Finglas/Glasnevin Division

The “Maura Dockery” trophy is left to be competed for over the coming weeks, we of course will be fielding a strong team and wish all the best of luck

Martin Harte said: “delighted for all our competitors’ but especially Karen, Gareth, Kevin, Nicole, Ruth and Emily.”

Garry Walsh said: “great result, well done guys, we’re all proud of ye”

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Congratulations to Cadet Superintendent Martin Harte and Member Gerry Tancred who recently passed their Emergency First Response (EFR) exams. Together with 10 other candidates from St John Martin and Gerry began the course in August this year and successfully completed the exams in late September.

Emergency First Responder is a qualification recognised by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) who are the Emergency Medical Services regulatory body. EFR is a pre-requisite to entry onto a St John (PHECC accredited) Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses.

St John Emergency First Responders are highly trained in:

• Cardiac First Response
• Pre Hospital Emergency Response
• Patient Assessment
• Medical & Trauma Emergencies
• Obstetric & Paediatric Emergencies
• Communications
• Actions at an emergency

The course is examined by way of multiple choice questions and practical examinations.

Martin will now join our own divisions Lorraine Hanley in going forward for the St John run EMT course which will be run over the next few months and we wish them both the best of luck.



Karen Sinnott said “on behalf of all the Cadets congratulations to Martin & Gerry we’re all delighted for you.”

Phil Byrne offered “It’s a tough course and both lads did great and represented the division well”

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The division recently entered a team into the Cork Competitions which took place in the St John Ambulance “Southern Command” Headquarters. During the day the team competed for 3 trophies, one for caring, one for first aid and one as an overall competition.

Three tests were involved, the first was the care competition in which the teams were expected to set up and run a first aid post at an event while dealing with any patients that presented to them. These patients ranged from a blister on a foot to a Stroke patient.

The second test was the first of two first aid tests. In this scenario the patient suffered burns to the hands, face, mouth and airway. The third and final test involved a cycling accident but to make things a little different the teams were not permitted to bring their own first aid kits into the test. Instead they had to discover that one of the cyclists had a small basic first aid kit in his saddle bag.

The team, which consisted of Cadet Superintendent Martin Harte, Lance Corporal Lorraine Hanley and Member Garry “Happy” Walsh represented the division brilliantly and convincingly won the Care “Overend” Cup and placed third in the Overall “Commissioners” Cup.

A great day was had by all who travelled to Cork for the competitions and we would like to offer our congratulations to the Cork team who tied first place in the First Aid competition with Castleknock Division who also won the Commissioners Cup. Congratulations also to Séan O’Reilly of Cork and his team of organisers, judges and stewards. It was a well run day with a different twist to the final first aid test.

On hearing the news Superintendent Phil Byrne congratulated the team and wished them well in their celebrations. “I’m delighted for them. They’ve put a lot of work into competition training over the last number of years so it’s great to finaly see them get some reward for it.”

Martin Harte commented “We really didn’t expect anything from the day, we had just decided to go in and enjoy the day, and enjoy it we did.”

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