The catastrophic effects of the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 set the scene for the very busy year that lay ahead for St John’s Ambulance Malta, according to the brigade’s end-of-year report.

Last year was a year which put Malta to the test, not only with regard to its traditional generosity towards those in need, but also in its capacity to host major political events such as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), said the brigade.

Another large-scale event was the Malta Marathon, during which brigade members set up a number of first aid stations along the route.

This was followed by Carnival, another mass activity involving hundreds of entertainers and thousands of spectators all concentrated in one place. Car races, firework displays, wine festivals and athletic events followed, and the brigade responded to all the requirements involved.

The Australian Pink Floyd concert at the start of summer proved to be another challenge for the brigade, whose three hard-working divisions were again assisted by members of the St John’s Rescue Corps. Volunteers reported encountering difficulties removing some of the casualties, who were mainly suffering from heat exhaustion, from the crowd.

CHOGM, the biggest national event of 2005, was yet to come in late November. The brigade (First Aid & Nursing) had been preparing for this event for several months. An operations room was set up and special passes were issued to each member involved in the event. One ambulance was deployed with HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh throughout the royal couple’s stay on the island.

Another ambulance was accompanying the spouses of the heads of government wherever they went and a third ambulance was deployed to in support of the international press.

The brigade also set up a first aid post at the Hal Ferh complex, where police and armed forces personnel were accommodated for the duration of the summit.

Despite a reduction in the number of volunteers, the St John’s Rescue Corps lived up to its tradition of keeping its members in trim through first aid and rescue training at their base in Fort Madliena.

2005 was also a successful year for the Teaching Branch, which conducted 37 First Aid Courses at Headquarters, two at the First Aid and Nursing Divisions and one at the St John’s Rescue Corps. The branch also conducted another 70 on-site courses for organisations and business enterprises, while a new course entitled Automated External Defibrillation (AED) was conducted at the Civil Protection Headquarters in Gozo.

In order to keep up with the added workload, it had been necessary to appoint a deputy secretary for courses.

With the help of the Surrey County brigade in the UK, the association conducted an AED course for trainers at the brigade’s headquarters. Mr David Roberts from Surrey conducted the two-day course for five trainers. Surrey also provided the necessary equipment and teaching material.