Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 30/02) - Joscelyn Ulmer clocked over 1,000 hours of volunteering her time in the last year. She also works full-time as an adult educator.

And she is looking for help. Ulmer is the superintendent for Iqaluit's volunteer division of St. John Ambulance and she wants the division to be fully functional by January. For this to happen, she needs more volunteers. There are already 30 people involved.

"In the South, 60 hours a year is required but because we're just starting that might be high for us," she said.

This division of St. John Ambulance helps support existing services such as the paramedics. The Iqaluit branch actually started up to support the Arctic Winter Games in March of 2002. There were 15 members at the time.

"We ended up providing almost half of the medical coverage," said Ulmer.

Every member begins with some basic first aid training. Opportunities to move on to more advanced courses to measure blood pressure and administer oxygen will also be available.

"We eventually get into more details, more specifics and more of the whys," explained Ulmer.

Members will be holding a Thanksgiving Brunch on Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. It will be held at Wizard's Cafe. Tickets are available at Baffin Flower Studio or at the swimming pool.

All the money raised will go towards supplies and uniforms for the members.

The organization is looking for anyone interested in first aid, or who has administrative experience.