Chief Ambulance Officer awarded King’s Ambulance Medal

Guernsey’s Chief Ambulance Officer and CEO of St John Ambulance and Rescue Service, Mark Mapp has been awarded the King’s Ambulance Medal in His Majesty’s birthday honours.

Mark Mapp began his career with Guernsey’s ambulance service in 1998, starting in the non-emergency division before moving to the emergency team as an Emergency Medical Technician. He trained further to become a paramedic, trainer, and acting Sub Officer.

Mark also spent eight years working in various roles at Health and Social Care (HSC) while continuing part-time with the Ambulance Service. He contributed to numerous projects within the Ambulance Service until his full return in 2019. Later that year, he was appointed Chief Ambulance Officer.

Mark’s leadership style has had a remarkable impact on the ambulance service. Under his guidance, the service successfully navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been instrumental in the development of the service as part of Health and Social Care’s (HSC) Partnership of Purpose, with a focus on enhancing patient care, improving quality, and ensuring financial stability.

Mark’s connection with St John Guernsey began at just 15 when he joined as a Cadet. There, he acquired vital first aid and teamwork skills, quickly excelling in local and UK Ambulance Aid competitions. During his student years studying Engineering at Portsmouth, Mark continued his dedication by volunteering with the St John adult sections there.

Upon returning to Guernsey, Mark rejoined the St John charity, taking on various senior volunteer roles. He also contributed significantly to the Volunteer Ambulance Reserve, applying his expertise and leadership to support and enhance the local ambulance service.

Today, Mark continues to be a registered paramedic and although his main role is the strategic oversight and development of the ambulance service, he remains operational and from time to time works with frontline crews responding to medical emergencies. As well as serving as Chief Ambulance Officer, Mark is also a volunteer Community First Responder and sits on the board of the St John charity. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of St John in 2023.

Outside his ambulance work, Mark played a key role in establishing the 24-hour Public Access Defibrillator scheme in 2013 and creating the Community Resuscitation Development Officer role while volunteering as Chair of the Cardiac Action Group.

Furthermore, he is an Advanced Life Support instructor with the Resuscitation Council UK, delivering training in ALS, ILS, PILS and NILS, locally, across the UK, and even in Europe.

Mark’s career has been marked by his invaluable contributions to the healthcare sector. He has served with the NHS’s East of England Ambulance Service and Guernsey’s health service, gaining a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the health care sector. He remains an active member of the College of Paramedics and is committed to supporting the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) and The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC).

Mark expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is an incredible honour to have been nominated for the King’s Ambulance Medal, and I am extremely humbled to receive this award. I am proud to have been a paramedic for over 20 years and fortunate to have worked with so many dedicated individuals committed to delivering care and compassion to islanders in their time of need. Guernsey truly has a remarkable team within the ambulance and health care service, making a difference in people’s lives every day. I am also proud of my long-standing association with St John, where my ambulance career really began, and I hope this award reflects that as well.”

When asked about his reaction to the nomination, Mark said, “It was completely unexpected, and I had to look a number of times at the notification to believe it. I was truly shocked and speechless. It’s tough because you can’t share the news immediately. I don’t know who nominated me, but I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged me over the years.”

The King’s Ambulance Medal (KAM) was established by Royal Warrant in 2011, originally named the Queen’s Ambulance Medal. This prestigious award recognises those who have demonstrated exceptional service and dedication in the field of emergency medical care. The medal is awarded to members of the NHS ambulance service or their equivalents across the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.

Recipients of the KAM have shown outstanding devotion to duty, whether through frontline response, management, or support roles, contributing significantly to patient care and the overall effectiveness of ambulance services. The introduction of this medal serves to honour the recipient for excellence in a profession that is vital to public