Over 90 certifications presented to volunteers during this year’s St John rescue corps annual review

St John Rescue Corps held its Annual review last Saturday in Valletta.

Presided by the Minister of Home Affairs and National Security Michael Farrugia and the President of St John Rescue Corps; Ambassador Jaime H. Cremona, the event initiated on Independence Square with the inspection of the guard of honour.

“This year’s annual review is truly a celebration of the number of new skills acquired by our volunteers over the past year. Our volunteers dedicate a lot of their free time towards intensive training and seeing them succeed and getting qualified to be able to support in the eventualities of rescue operations is truly a great satisfaction for all of us,” said Andrew Grech, the Commissioner of St John Rescue Corps.

During the event 12 volunteers were presented with their First Aid certification, 29 for Basic Life Support and Automatic External Defibrillator, 4 volunteers were certified in Realistic Emergency and Accident Simulation, 14 certified as Emergency Medical Technician (Basic), 4 were awarded Bronze Awards for Water Lifesaving certificate, 5 Silver Awards for Water Lifesaving certificate, 15 volunteers were certified for Basic Fire Awareness, 2 Fire Fighting Foundation Certifications and 4 volunteers were awarded in High Angle (Level 1).

Throughout the year, St John Rescue Corps has provided fire prevention and rescue services during a number of events including Carnival, Isle of MTV, several clean-ups and a number of feasts. The Rescue Corps has also assisted the Civil Protection Department on several occasions, including during rescue operations related to the storm that hit the Maltese Islands on the 25 of February this year.

Incepted in 1986, St John Rescue Corps, a voluntary organisation is today made up of around ninety volunteers who dedicate their free time to regular intensive training while attending firefighting and rescue duties on land and at sea.

During the annual event, it was announced that the Corps is opening its doors to anyone interested in water rescue to join the team of volunteer lifeguards. Anyone interested can get in touch on join@sjrcmalta.org.