Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 30, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - St. John's Ambulance has had to cancel its services at a number of community events due to a shortage of volunteers.

Ken Bridges acts as a casualty in need of medical help while he instructs a class of volunteers during a St. John's Ambulance Medical First Responder level one course. - photo courtesy of Steve Hatch

"There have been a couple times where groups in the community have come to us looking for support for people to stand at a first aid post or wander around. Just because of the numbers we've got we weren't able to provide support for the event," said Ken Bridges, vice-chair of St. John's Ambulance community services for the NWT and Nunavut.

He said the organization has roughly 10 to 12 volunteers, but ideally it needs at least 20.

"We're not just looking for first aid people," said Bridges. "We're looking for some support people as well, people who have some time to do some administration."

Training is provided for those who want to volunteer with St. John's and the repayment for volunteers is in hours needed for first aid certification. One of the ways the organization tries to keep volunteers committed to their hours is by withholding their certification until the hours are completed.

"It's just a way to kind of ensure that people are fulfilling those times," said Bridges.

He said he is hoping that employers will recognize that the training is also valuable for employees, and allow for them to take the course during work hours or pay for the course.

"We really have a push right now with the Arctic Winter Games," said Bridges.

The large event will require a lot of volunteers and those who will be at the Games anyway could use this event to volunteer with the organization.

Gail Cyr, a volunteer with St. John's Ambulance, said part of the volunteer shortage is due to individuals taking the first aid training, but failing to commit to the hours of volunteer service.

"It's a marvellous course, it's really good," said Cyr. "There's excellent instructors and everything. There is a commitment that is made that people have to put in their volunteer time. We need people to complete their commitment."