St John Ambulance Ireland

St John Ambulance Ireland, formally known as the St John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland, is a charitable voluntary organisation in Ireland. For constitutional reasons it is not a full member association of the Venerable Order of Saint John and the international St. John Ambulance movement, but rather is classed as an "associated body". The organisation is dedicated to the teaching and practice of medical first aid. It is engaged in first aid training to the public, providing first aid and ambulance cover at public events, patient transport and community services.OrganisationAs with most national St John Ambulance organisations, St John Ambulance Ireland is organised in a paramilitary fashion. Its activities are ultimately overseen by a Council, analogous to a board of trustees and chaired by the President of the Brigade, currently Bill Fleming. The brigade's executive staff is led by a Commissioner appointed by the Council. In 2014 the Council appointed Mr John Hughes as the new Commissioner of the Brigade. Commissioner John Hughes was Acting Commissioner after the resignation of Commissioner Prof. Patrick K. Plunkett KStJ in December 2013, who assumed the role in 2008. The executive includes a Deputy Commissioner, a number of Assistant Commissioners, and the Chief Staff Officer who are responsible for different areas of the brigade's activities.Operationally and geographically, the brigade is organised into a number of local units known as "divisions", each headed by a Divisional Superintendent and typically consisting of 10-30 members. Superintendents are assisted by Divisional Officers, Sergeants, Corporals and Lance Corporals, who form middle management. A division may also have an attached medical practitioner or registered nurse, known as a Divisional Surgeon and Divisional Nursing Officer respectively.