April 21, 2011 Ottawa– St. John Ambulance (SJA) is pleased to announce a partnership with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) that will build the HNP’s capacity in the areas of first aid training and emergency preparedness

SJA Chancellor Richard Bruce during a visit to Haiti will sign memorandums of understanding with the HNP and MINUSTAH at a ceremony to be held on April 21.  Senior officials from the HNP including Director General Mario Andrésol, Inspector General Jean-Yonel Trecile, Inspector General Jean Miguélite Maximé, other senior officials from MINUSTAH, including the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General, Kevin Kennedy, and the Canadian Ambassador to Haiti, His Excellency Henri-Paul Normandin, will attend the ceremony.

Following the signing of the memorandums of understanding, the Director General Andrésol of the HNP and Chancellor Bruce will make presentations to HNP officers who have recently completed certification programs for First Aid Instructor Trainers, Instructors or First Aid providers. With the financial support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s Global Peace and Security Fund, it is expected that some 7,000 members of the HNP will receive first aid training delivered by a cadre of HNP instructors over the next 18 months.

“This partnership is built on mutual respect and a desire to be of service to the people of Haiti. The common call to service that is shared by our organizations forms the foundation for our future success.” says Chancellor Bruce.

Since 1883, St. John Ambulance has been offering life saving skills to Canadians each year and is considered the premier supplier of first aid and CPR training in Canada.

For more information:
Dawn Roach
COO, St. John Ambulance National Office
Phone: + 1 613 236 7461
Email : dawn.roach@nhq.sja.ca