St. John Ambulance recognizes longtime volunteer
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/04/2011 (5459 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Over the years, Norma Laird, has come to the aid of those who have suffered everything from a cut finger to a heart attack.
And after about 67 years of volunteer service with St. John Ambulance of Canada, the organization is about bestow on her the highest award she can receive.
Even though as an adult she’s logged more than 18,000 volunteer hours, Laird still said she was surprised when St. John Ambulance notified her of the honour.
"I was flabbergasted," Laird said.
St. John Ambulance volunteers provide first aid and emergency response support.
They’re present at public events as first responders — to provide basic and advanced care during emergencies until medical assistance arrives.
On May 25th at Government House in Winnipeg, Laird will be invested as a Dame into the Order of St. John, the highest honour the Brandon resident can receive for her decades of service.
She started her volunteer career with St. John Ambulance at the age of 12 to 13 years as a cadet and was trained in emergency first aid.
Initially, under supervision, the aspiring nurse helped provide home care, which was then one of the duties performed by St. John Ambulance, and would perform other small tasks such as bandaging a cut finger.
In time, she became the supervisor and teacher.
She rose to the rank of crusader and then entered the adult division and became Brandon’s superintendent of cadets and crusaders. It was then her job to teach young members first aid and home care.
Laird then became provincial superintendent of cadets and crusaders, and went on to serve as adult superintendent, teaching first aid and CPR, before she stepped back to be a regular member.
Now 79 years old, the retired nurse’s aide takes things a little easier, but still isn’t ready to give up her St. John Ambulance duties.
She said she’ll be ready to help at public events for some time yet.
She’s proud to have saved a number of lives during her years of providing care at local fairs, hockey games and walk-a-thons.
"It makes you feel real good," Laird said, adding it’s especially rewarding when someone she’s helped to save later offers her thanks. "It really is nice."
Laird is already highly decorated for her service with St. John Ambulance — she’s received the Priory Vote of Thanks, the Serving Sister award, the Officer Sister Award, the 12-year Long Service Medal and the Chancellor’s Commendation.