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Community Services volunteers

About St. John Ambulance

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St. John Ambulance is an international humanitarian organization and is a foundation of the Order of St. John. As Canada's standard for excellence in first aid and CPR services, St. John Ambulance offers innovative programs, ensuring Canadians receive the best quality training. Revenue generated from first aid/CPR training supports St. John Ambulance's charitable work.

Our Story

In 1883 in Quebec City, the first Canadian branch of St. John Ambulance to teach first aid courses was established. Shortly thereafter courses were being offered in Kingston, Ontario. In the next 10 years, St. John Ambulance grew to be a national organization and in 1892 it had 12 branches teaching first aid from coast-to-coast. In those early years, alongside the continued growth in first aid training, St. John Ambulance also began a proud tradition of volunteer work in our communities. Soon the volunteers of St. John became a common and welcome sight in times of emergency in communities across the country.

In any disaster, human or natural, St. John Ambulance Canada volunteers are there to offer assistance, expertise, caring and compassion. Our tradition of coming to the aid of Canadian communities reaches back well over a century.

Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission

Enabling everyone to improve their health safety, and quality of life through training, education, resources, and service to the community.

We carry out our mission through community service, and first aid, and CPR training.

Community Services volunteers include uniformed members who serve communities across Canada, providing first aid and emergency response support, as well as improving the quality of life for people confined to a health care facility through our Therapy Dog visitation program. Our volunteers contribute millions of hours to Canadian communities each year. First aid and CPR Training comprises instructors, volunteers and staff who provide high-quality first aid training and products. Under the guidance of our network of medical and health care professionals, St. John Ambulance is the national leader, setting the standard for training in first aid, CPR and other lifesaving skills.

Our vision

Everyone in Canada prepared to save a life.

Our values

We live the mission and vision by practicing these values:

  • Teamwork
  • Fairness
  • Equity
  • Integrity
  • Constructiveness
  • Respect
  • Loyalty
  • Tolerance
  • Quality and balance of life
At a Glance

Perhaps the largest area in which St. John Ambulance Canada has a direct impact on the safety and well-being of Canadians is in the provision of first aid and CPR training. Each year across the country thousands of certified St. John instructors teach over half a million Canadians lifesaving skills that can be used at work, home and play. In first aid and CPR training, St. John Ambulance is widely recognized as the industry leader with it's proven combination of expert trainers, personalized instruction, how-to videos and learn-as-you-go training guides. Developed in conjunction with leading health care organizations first aid training by St. John Ambulance incorporates the latest teaching methods to maximize learning.

Support St. John Ambulance
To assist St. John Ambulance in its support of it's community services and initiatives, St. John Ambulance Canada accepts donations.