Eight St John staff have skilled up through completing training courses in a variety of disciplines.

At a presentation last week, Chairman of the Board Steve Le Page awarded certificates to the group, some of whom are employed as Paramedics and Station Officers and others as volunteer Ambulance Reserves or Community First Responders.

Five achieved the BTEC Level 2 First Person on Scene (Intermediate) qualification – Community First Responder Rob Jordan and Ambulance Reserves Alan Stevens, Paul Kennedy, Heather Lucas and Neil Archer. The topics included the pre-hospital environment, patient assessment, basic life support and trauma related emergencies.

Paramedic Aimee Lihou received an award for Advanced Life Support – Resuscitation Council training course, a multi-disciplinary qualification which covers causes and prevention of cardiac arrest, acute coronary syndromes and post resuscitation care and ethics.

Station Officer Sonia Guille was the recipient of two awards – Safeguarding Children and Young People (Level 3 Child Protection Training), together with a Level 3 Certificate in First Line Management. The first qualification means Sonia becomes our lead officer for Safeguarding, and the second develops the management skills and knowledge required in managing resources and leading a team.

A special long service award was also made by the St John Ambulance and Rescue Service to Paramedic Tutor Graham Le Maitre, who has spent 35 years working for St John.

Jon Beausire, Chief Officer, Emergency Ambulance Service was delighted to see so many employees improving their skills. ‘Continued professional development is really important, and it is gratifying to see staff from all sides of St John who want to continue to learn, improve and doing so, make a difference.’