1,100 St John volunteers ready for National Games

Hong Kong St. John Ambulance Brigade has recruited 1,100 volunteers to provide crucial first-aid services for the upcoming National Games, with a major rally held to prepare the team.

With less than a month until the Games begin, the pledge rally was attended by senior officials including Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vivian Sum Fong-kwang, and Hospital Authority's Director of Quality and Safety, Dr. Micheal Wong Lap-gate.

The volunteer force includes over 100 medical professionals who will be deployed across event venues. Intensive training is now underway to prepare the team for their duties.

Commissioner of St John Ambulance Brigade, Dave Yau Shu-fung, highlighted the key challenge of adapting to the new Kai Tak Sports Park. The team is focusing on crowd safety and navigating the venue's many slopes and staircases.

"We need to ensure our members are strategically positioned, especially with large crowds," Yau stated. A major operational focus will be the safe evacuation of injured individuals from the complex multi-level venue.

The volunteers will work in close coordination with other emergency services, including the Fire Services Department and the Hospital Authority, for seamless patient handovers.

Drills are being conducted to ensure every member understands the integrated response plan, guaranteeing a swift and effective emergency medical service for all Games attendees.