The award which is voted for by the public can be for a group or individuals who deserve special recognition for their actions, dedication, or tireless high standards to help save lives and keep the islands safe.
Collecting the award on behalf of Ambulance and Rescue Nicky Strong said it was for all parts of the service including the frontline emergency crews, the patient transfer service, volunteer Flying Christine crew, Community First Responders and the support staff at the Rohais.
The award was presented by Dr Steve Evans, chair of the Medical Specialist Group, sponsors of the category, at an event organised by the Guernsey Press.
‘Ambulance and Rescue’ Chief Executive Officer Mark Mapp said: I’m beyond proud that our incredible ambulance team has won the Guernsey Press Emergency Hero of the Year Award! This award recognises their dedication, professionalism, and the unwavering commitment they show every day. Thank you to everyone who supported and nominated Ambulance and Rescue. This is a fantastic achievement and a true reflection of the hard work and compassion our team delivers in even the most challenging moments, and a testament to the public’s appreciation and faith in our Ambulance Service.
The volunteer crew of the Flying Christine marine ambulance and the island’s Community First Responders were also nominated for the 2024 award.
Licence to Kill is a tri-service initiative produced by Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, Guernsey Police and Guernsey’s Ambulance and Rescue Service, which shows students the devastating consequences of speeding, drinking alcohol, not wearing a seatbelt and using mobile phones while driving, known as the fatal four.
The sessions are being shown to students in Year 11, who will soon be behind the wheel, and it features footage of local crashes as well as interviews with victims and their families.
Ambulance and Rescue Paramedic Officer Steve Torode said: “Sadly we have seen the fatal consequences of road traffic incidents on our roads in Guernsey. The consequences of taking risk behind the wheel can be devastating both physically and mentally, and do not just affect those directly involved, but also families, friends and the wider community. We hope that the messages of Licence to Kill – Don’t speed, don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs, don’t use a mobile phone or text while driving and wear a seatbelt, will help keep our roads safe, not just for the next generation of driver, but all road users.”
Roads Policing Unit officer Mat Du Port said: “Driving is an activity most of us do every day, but if we don’t do it safely, it can also become one of the most dangerous activities we do. It is important that new drivers learn to understand the responsibility of getting behind the wheel, and also understand what it is they can do to keep themselves safe. Not using a mobile phone, wearing your seatbelt, not drink or drug driving, driving with care and sticking to the speed limit – these are the fatal four, and statistically are the reason for most life-ending collisions, and the most accidents. If every driver drives takes this advice, our roads will be a lot safer. Licence to Kill is a reminder to students that just because they’ve passed their driving test, they aren’t suddenly able to drive at speed, or when drunk or under the influence of drugs. It is a licence to drive – not a licence to kill.”
Fire & Rescue Service Crew Commander Gavin Robins said: “Licence to Kill is designed to be hard-hitting to ensure that new drivers understand the consequences of dangerous driving, and go onto the roads with the right attitude. If we can highlight just how dangerous the fatal four are, then we can make our roads safer. Driving is an amazing freedom for these young people, but it is also a big responsibility, because it can put them at risk and other road users at risk. The Emergency Services deal with crashes all year round, all of different seriousness, but it does not take much for an RTC to completely change, or ruin, a life. We want to avoid these incidents from happening, and so it is vital every driver understands the risks, and drives safely. Don’t drink and drive, don’t speed, don’t use your mobile phone, and wear your seatbelt. These four things make such a huge difference to the safety of driving.”
Knowing how to do CPR and use an AED can save a life. Wednesday 16th October is World Restart a Heart Day, an annual initiative led by Resuscitation Council UK which aims to increase the number of people surviving out-of hospital cardiac arrests.
Restart a Heart (RSAH) is run in partnership with ambulance services, health charities and an alliance of partners all over the world, improving public awareness of cardiac arrests and increasing the number of people trained in life-saving CPR and defibrillation awareness.
Guernsey’s ambulance service is once again supporting RSAH, this year working with the lifeguards at Beau Sejour delivering CPR and AED demonstrations and training for the public.
John Atkins, Head of Resilience and Education at St John Ambulance and Rescue Service said: “We are really pleased the team at Beau Sejour are getting hands on and supporting Restart A Heart Day. We are delighted to support them in their training sessions and demonstrations in the foyer area of the leisure centre. Anyone can be affected by a sudden cardiac arrest at any time, without immediate action, the person will die. Recognising when someone is in cardiac arrest, calling 999 and doing CPR are simple but vital skills that might save a life. Being Resus Ready will ensure that in the ultimate medical emergency you can help save a life at home, at work, or in public.”
Restart a Heart Day serves as a powerful reminder that every member of our community has the potential to become a lifesaver. 80% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home. Every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by 10%.
CPR is a simple skill and AEDs are easy to use, however research suggests 37% of people said they wouldn’t feel very confident they could help someone having a cardiac arrest, while 24% said they wouldn’t be at all confident. Only 11% of people surveyed said they felt totally confident about using a defibrillator correctly
Sam Herridge, Head of Recreation Service at Beau Sejour said: “We are really proud to be hosting this important event in partnership with the ambulance service. Using CPR and defibrillation on a person in cardiac arrest has the potential to double their chance of survival. All of our Lifeguard trained staff are qualified in this through their Royal Lifesaving Society (RLSS) UK National Pool Lifeguard qualification – and their offering of free CPR and AED training on the day, alongside our RLSS Trainer Assessors presents a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of bystander CPR and defibrillation in saving lives.”
John added “If you are unable to get to Beau Sejour on 16th there are lots of other opportunities to learn these life-saving skills in Guernsey. The St John Guernsey charity provides first aid training in schools and to the wider community with courses at Les Cotils, and the Cardiac Action Group has been offering awareness sessions for the past few years.”
The five who represent different parts of St John in Guernsey, have been made Members of the prestigious international Order, in appointments sanctioned by HM King Charles, the Sovereign Head of the organisation.
Leon Steyn, Commandery Treasurer, is recognised for his services to the Commandery of St John in Guernsey. The Commandery is the board which oversees the work of both the charity and the ambulance service.
Marc Farror, the chairman of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service and interim chairman of the Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, is recognised for services to the ambulance service.
Aimee Lihou, Head of Quality and Patient Safety, is recognised for her services to the Ambulance and Rescue Service, particularly in Alderney.
Long serving St John volunteer Dr Rachael Major is recognised for her safeguarding work with the St John Guernsey charity.
Dave Welbourne is recognised for his years of service to the Flying Christine and the marine ambulance service. The former ambulance officer served on the Flying Christine II and was involved with the designing of Flying Christine III.
An individual can be admitted to the Order for outstanding service to St John in recognition of achievement, notable or selfless service or inspiration and encouragement to others. There are five Grades of membership Member, Officer, Commander, Knight or Dame and Bailiff or Dame Grand Cross.
Chief Executive Officer of Ambulance and Rescue, Mark Mapp said: “I want to extend my congratulations to the recipients who have been recognised for their selfless dedication in supporting the work of the Order of St John. It is a privilege to lead an excellent team of dedicated staff and volunteers who provide emergency and non-emergency ambulance services to the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The Order’s recognition of those individuals who have gone above and beyond in their contributions is a testament to their hard work and commitment. Their efforts, which have made a significant impact on our community, have meaningfully advanced the charitable objectives of the Order at a local level, and this recognition is thoroughly well deserved”
Heather Langlois, Chief Executive Officer of the St John Guernsey charity added: Membership to the Order of St John is a global acknowledgment of one’s outstanding contribution to our organisation and is a remarkable achievement. It takes great passion, dedication and commitment to receive such an award, and we could not be more proud of the five individuals from Guernsey who have been recognised. I’d like to congratulate each of the recipients on their awards and express my immense gratitude for their service to St John in Guernsey.
The appointments were published in The Gazette on Thursday 10th October.
This means at times there will be additional movements of contractor’s vehicles and deliveries of materials, with parking for visitors occasionally reduced on site.
Traffic movements related to the building work will not impact on access for emergency vehicles leaving or returning to the Ambulance Station.
The building work is scheduled to continue until the end of 2025.
The St John Guernsey training hall, which is used for private functions, meetings, Badgers and Cadets remains open. Access to the St John Community Library, which is open every Tuesday afternoon, is being maintained, with parking spaces reserved for users.
As strategic lead for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, John is responsible for risk management and business continuity, as well as overseeing clinical education for the service.
John has a long history with the ambulance service in Guernsey, having trained as a paramedic and holding a number of training and leadership roles, before joining the senior team. He was previously Head of Operations and Acting Assistant Chief Ambulance Officer before relocating to the UK.
During his time in England John was Medical Services Manager and Lead Paramedic at Silverstone motor racing circuit, fulfilling the role of Tactical Medical Commander for all major events at the venue including the Formula 1® British Grand Prix, and served on Motorsport UK’s national Medical Committee. He also worked part-time as an operational paramedic with East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust. On returning to Guernsey John was appointed as Assistant Training Manager at States of Guernsey Health and Social Care. He also worked part-time as an operational paramedic with the ambulance service.
John’s connections with St John can be traced back to his teenage years, having joined the organisation as a youth member at the age of 15. He later became a youth leader and then progressed to the position of Divisional Superintendent with the charity.
John said: I am delighted to have re-joined Guernsey’s ambulance service and to be heading up emergency planning and education for the organisation. My time away from the service – both locally at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital and with the NHS and at Silverstone in the UK – has been hugely valuable and has broadened my perspectives and I return to my roots all the stronger for it.
John is a member of several professional bodies including the College of Paramedics, the Resuscitation Council, Chartered Management Institute and the Emergency Planning Society.
In his spare time John is a volunteer Community First Responder, part of the Channel Islands Air Search crew, a Douzenier (parish official) for Torteval and a member of the Clinical Governance Committee for Les Bourgs Hospice.
The Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey is looking to appoint a new Knight or Dame Commander, who as chair of the organisation will be the leading figure and principal public face of the board which oversees both the St John Guernsey charity and Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey.
The recruitment of a new Knight or Dame Commander follows the recent retirement of John Hollis OstJ who stood down due to poor health.
The role involves leading the organisation, providing strategic oversight and chairing the Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey. The post holder will be an ambassador for St John, engaging with political and community stakeholders, developing and fostering partnerships, working with the media and representing St John at official events locally and in the UK.
Nicola Hoyland-Birch who is leading the appointment process explained: “We are looking for an inspirational leader, who shares the St John values and can support and develop the growth of the organisation as a whole, so we can continue to deliver the excellent care and compassion that islanders have come to expect. The role requires someone who is an experienced and professional chair person, with excellent communication skills and who is able to engage a wide range of stakeholders.”
This is a voluntary role.
St John operates St John Guernsey, a charity which is dedicated to helping islanders through the provision of first aid, training and youth work; and Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey which provides emergency medical and major incident response for the Bailiwick on behalf of the States of Guernsey and the States of Alderney.
The Commandery of St John in the Bailiwick of Guernsey oversees the St John Guernsey charity and St John Ambulance and Rescue Service (Ambulance and Rescue, Guernsey).
The Commandery is part of the Priory of England and the Islands, and St John International
The Order of St John is an Order of Chivalry of the British Crown and His Majesty King Charles III, the Sovereign Head of the Order.
The St John Guernsey charity provides event first aid, youth work, the community library, first aid in schools and St John Training Services.
The St John Guernsey charity is funded by donations and sponsorship.
St John provides the Ambulance Service on behalf of the States of Guernsey through a grant from the Committee for Health & Social Care. The grant is a contribution towards the operating costs of the service, with the remaining costs being met in a variety of ways including the subscription scheme and charges.
Ambulance and Rescue Service is a partner in the HSC Partnership of Purpose.
The ambulance service also provides the non-emergency patient transfer service and a major incident response for the islands.
St John has been operating the Ambulance and Rescue service in Guernsey since 1936.
Guernsey’s Ambulance and Rescue Service also provides the ambulance service for Alderney on behalf of the States of Alderney.
The Flying Christine III is a purpose built marine ambulance, which delivers pre-hospital paramedic care to the islands of the Bailiwick. The crew is made up of skilled volunteers from the local marine community and professional ambulance staff from Guernsey’s ambulance service.
Representatives from Ambulance and Rescue Guernsey joined colleagues from Bailiwick Law Enforcement, Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service, the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESCC), Guernsey Coastguard, Airport Fire Service, Guernsey Civil Protection, RNLI Lifeboat and Channel Islands Air Search for the event St Peter Port Harbour.
The Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, Lieutenant General Richard Cripwell, said: “Our emergency services play a vital role in keeping our islands safe, including valuable preventative work to protect us in our own homes. Remarkable people
stand ready at all times to support our community, sometimes at great cost to themselves, and we are better for their unstinting service. Today is an opportunity think about what that means, both for them and their families, and to thank them all
for the indispensable work that they do.”
Guernsey’s Chief Ambulance Officer Mark Mapp said: “999 Day has become a significant day in the calendar which focuses our thoughts on the dedication of all of the emergency services across the Bailiwick and across the UK. It is an opportunity to reflect, and to thank our blue light responders and the volunteers who support us, for the work they do all year round. As Chief Ambulance Officer, I would like to publicly express my thanks to our ambulance crews for their care and compassion in saving the lives. I would also like to acknowledge our support staff, the volunteer Community First Responders, Flying Christine crew and all the other St John volunteers for their valuable service to the Bailiwick.”
9th September is designated as national Emergency Services Day (or 999 day) and is supported by HM The King and the UK Prime Minister. It provides an opportunity to highlight the work of blue light and the other emergency services, the role they play in our island community, and promote career and volunteer opportunities within this challenging but rewarding line of work.
Guernsey Police Chief Officer Ruari Hardy said: “Guernsey’s emergency services are one of the cornerstones of the community we all live in. Each person who commits to a career in one of the blue light services, or one of the services which support them, does so to protect Guernsey and keep it a safe and secure place to live. These roles are hugely rewarding, but also incredibly challenging, and sometimes demand sacrifices. National 999 day is a chance for us to all to take a moment and reflect on the hard work our emergency service workers do, and what they may have given up to help others. Without the teams across police, fire, ambulance, coastguard, civil protection, and the other services, Guernsey would not be the place it is. Guernsey should be proud of their continued efforts.”
Guernsey Harbour Master and Head of Guernsey Coastguard Jerome Davis said: “Our colleagues across Guernsey’s emergency services work extremely hard to keep our community safe and secure. 999 Day is an opportunity to celebrate their efforts and recognise their dedication. Were it not for the incredible bravery, skill and dedication of the emergency services which serve our islands, many of the incidents that we respond to would have very different outcomes. 2024 has been another busy year for our highly-trained Coastguard operators and the many outstanding volunteers who crew our RNLI lifeboats, Channel Islands Air Search aircraft and the Flying Christine marine ambulance. The work they do alongside our land-based emergency services is essential to our efforts to save lives at sea.”
Guernsey’s Chief Fire Officer Jon Le Page said: “It is easy to sing the praises of all of our colleagues in the Emergency Services, however it is also easy to forget that day-in day-out, collectively, we are there to support the community in their times of need. Whether it be an RTC, a fire, a crime, an issue at sea, a heart attack, a missing person, or one of a huge number of other potential incidents; as a group, Guernsey’s emergency services are always prepared to put themselves in harm’s way to help others. For that, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to everyone for their hard work, and I’d encourage others to join us in the moment of silence on Saturday to show our respect.”
Mark Mapp said the event was considered a resounding success with robust attendance from various stakeholders
The Islands Ambulance Service Forum, a significant platform for collaboration and learning which is by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE). The group convenes virtually throughout the year and come together for an annual face-to-face meeting. The forum is made up of the heads of ambulance services in Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight and Gibraltar.
Mark Mapp said: “It is crucial to discuss shared challenges, potential opportunities, and pressing issues across the islands’ ambulance services. Despite each island having unique characteristics, the forum underscores the commonalities and challenges, fostering collaborative discussions and collective strategic thinking.”
During the two days the group visited the smaller Isle of Sark, home to a purely volunteer based ambulance service, which operates a tractor-drawn ambulance trailer. The visit highlighted the challenges faced in smaller and more remote communities. Attendees also experienced a tour of the Guernsey Marine Ambulance launch “Flying Christine III”, showing the diverse nature of emergency medical services across the islands of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
During the event, Suzanne Rastrick OBE, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for England, provided an insightful update on critical topics, including the Allied Health Professions (AHPs) Strategy for England, paramedic education, regulation, career development, the prevention of suicide in the ambulance service, and a culture review of English Ambulance Services.
Hilary Pillin, UEC Strategy Advisor, played a pivotal role in the event by delivering presentations on a number of crucial topics. These included AACE’s submission to the Darzi Review, national structures, the culture review, improving sexual safety, and leadership development within the ambulance services.
Tom Davidson, Associate Professor of Paramedicine from the University of Cumbria, shared the latest developments in paramedic education. As the island communities have many paramedics who have undertaken their academic studies with the University of Cumbria, one of the main discussion points revolved around achieving a standardised approach to ambulance service education.
Mark Mapp added: “This annual face-to-face meeting was essential in reinforcing the collaborative spirit across the islands. Attendees left the forum equipped with new insights, strategies, and a renewed commitment to addressing the unique and shared challenges faced by ambulance services across the British islands.”
Their Majesties were also introduced to a representative of the marine ambulance team and acknowledged the crew of the Flying Christine III who were on the harbour pontoon. Earlier in the day the royal couple were greeted by St John Cadets as they arrived by helicopter in St Peter Port.
Mark Mapp, Guernsey’s Chief Ambulance Officer and CEO of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service said: “We were incredibly fortunate and honoured to have welcomed Their Majesties to the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Their profound interest in St John, our charity and professional ambulance service, as well as the iconic Marine Ambulance, the Flying Christine, highlighted their support for our organisation . As the Sovereign Head of the Order, King Charles III’s visit was particularly special. During their visit, Their Majesties met with numerous St John representatives, including our distinguished Knight Commander, John Hollis. We were delighted that the King and Queen signed our signatory book, which is over 70 years old and holds a collection of entries from previous Royal visits. It was an incredibly proud day for me, St John, and the community of Guernsey.
CEO of the St John Guernsey charity Heather Langlois added: “It was both an honour and a privilege to meet His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla on behalf of the St John Guernsey Charity. As CEO, I am humbled daily by the opportunity to work alongside volunteers, staff and young people who make our community a safer place and to represent each of those remarkable individuals on this occasion is a moment I will never forget.”
Dave Welbourne, Flying Christine volunteer coxswain said: “’It was an honour and privilege to speak with Their Majesties yesterday. They took the time to ask lots of questions about the Flying Christine III and seen seemed generally and genuinely interested in our roles as volunteer boat crew. They wanted to know how many cases the marine ambulance does each year and how long we have all been volunteering for.”