ST JOHN NT
NEWSROOM

The St John Ambulance NT First Aid in Schools ‘Remote Indigenous Access Project’ has taken out the 2018 Resilient Australia Community Award.

A health education initiative that increases the resilience of remote children and young people, the project gives young Territorians the ability to help themselves, their families and communities in times of need or an emergency.

Children in primary and high school learn first aid skills ranging from checking for danger and calling an ambulance through to resuscitation, bleeding control, managing fractures and other medical emergencies such as stroke or heart attack.

“The St John Ambulance NT First Aid in Schools ‘Remote Indigenous Access Project’ promotes positive, confident and informed action by young Territorians in emergency situations,” St John Ambulance CEO Judith Barker said.

“The First Aid in Schools program aims to make first aid skills part of the learning outcomes for every school-aged student in the NT by delivering training specifically developed for children and young people to suit the needs of different education levels.”

Ms Barker said St John Ambulance has been running the program in the Northern Territory since 2011 when pilot sessions were trialled in Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala in East Arnhem Land.

“Last year alone, our Community Education teams taught more than 13,300 NT school students crucial first aid skills. That are 13,300 empowered and resilient young people all over the Northern Territory – especially in remote communities – who now have greater confidence in responding to accidents, illness or emergencies.

“At St John Ambulance NT we work closely with the NT Government, local schools, health services providers, Elders and Traditional Owners and other relevant stakeholders to delivered tailored programs that give young people life skills that enable them to support themselves and their communities by managing emergency situations that require first aid capabilities.

“The training has significant outcomes in terms of injuries being self- or community-treated, rather than needing external emergency services. Skills gained through the St John Ambulance NT First Aid in Schools program can prevent deaths and save lives.”

Ms Barker said being presented with the 2018 NT Resilient Australia Community Award in a ceremony at Development House in Darwin this morning was a “well-deserved” recognition for the St John Ambulance NT Community Education team.