Retirement of Ms Virginia Bourke OStJ as Chair and Director of St John Ambulance Victoria and appointment of Mr Mark Engel MStJ as Chair of St John Ambulance Victoria

According to Climate Council Australia, temperatures are rising dramatically across the nation. This means more frequent, lengthier and higher intensity heat levels are being experienced than ever before.

There are few downfalls of an Australian summer, but the fierceness of our bushfires is certainly one of them. As a precautionary measure it’s important all Aussies know how to provide First Aid for smoke inhalation to fight the number of lives lost in the case of a tragic bush or house fire.

You may have seen our volunteers at events, our Non-Emergency Patient Transport vehicles on the roads, been to a first aid training class or have one of our kits at work or in your car. During many times in your life, St John will pop up when you least expect to help you out of a dangerous or even life-threatening situation.

Everyone agrees employees should go to work knowing they are in a safe and healthy environment, free from physical and psychological harm. No employee should ever go to work thinking they are unsafe, at serious risk of death or injury or unsupported.

For Shocktober, we’re doing something special to drive awareness of your nearest defibrillator locations and provide more defibrillators in the Victorian community – hopefully one near you!

Until it happens to us or someone we love, most of us don’t know the difference between a heart attack and a sudden cardiac arrest. You’re definitely not the first to assume a heart attack and sudden cardiac are interchangeable terms.

On 29 September each year, Blue Ribbon Day provides the opportunity for the community to say thank you to those who protect and serve our community and ensure that those who have fallen are never forgotten.