The Sanmar sponsored St John Ambulance Association, Mettur Local Centre, was awarded the silver rolling trophy for 2004. Dr R Kumar Senior Manager, Medical Services, Chemplast Sanmar received the trophy from Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala on 24 December 2005 at the Annual Conference held in Chennai.
The Mettur Local Centre of the St John Ambulance Association, comprising 13 life members, was inaugurated on 24 October 2004 under the Chairmanship of V Ranganathan, Chief Executive - Operations, Chemplast Sanmar. It was decided at the function to conduct First Aid Certificate classes for employees, educate the primary school children on the need for hygiene and to screen the film “Fire - A friend or foe”.
Dr R Kumar and Dr R Kailasam, Manager, Medical
Services, Chemplast Sanmar, conducted First Aid Certificate classes for 114 employees of all plants at Mettur, Berigai, Viralimalai and Karaikal and also for 150 primary school children emphasising the need for oral hygiene and cleanliness at the centre. Recognising the enthusiastic involvement of the centre, St John Ambulance Association, chose the centre to receive the trophy.
The memento, silver rolling trophy and certificate bagged by the Mettur Local Centre of the St John Ambulance Assn.
Dr R Kumar, Senior Manager - Medical Services, Chemplast Sanmar, receiving the silver rolling trophy from Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor of Tamil Nadu.
The originator of First Aid was Esmarch (1823-1908). He was a distinguished Surgeon and went on to become the Surgeon General in the German army at the outbreak of the Franco Prussian War. He was an authority on hospital management and military surgery.
In 1877 St. John Ambulance was formed as a full-fledged voluntary organisation. The objective of the association was to train men and women for the benefit of the sick and wounded, with instructions to pupils on first aid and distribution of useful ambulance material.
St. John Ambulance Association adopted the term First aid officially in England for the first time in 1879.
Each year thousands get trained and gain certificates all over the world. In addition many undergo reexamination to maintain or increase their knowledge level.
These certificates are recognised by Government departments. Under the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules No.95, Schedule 16, Part 2-23-9, 10 per cent of workers need to be trained in First Aid.