As a matter of fact i am an Instructor for those courses as well as an Instructor for a few Australian University paramedic courses as well. Although there are systemic problems with the Johnnies in terms of their Crusaders management system, in terms of their customers and their insurance policies it is a matter of best practice levels of training for their volunteers. If you are marketing a service the customer is always right! Until they learn that very simple lesson they will lose volunteers and events until they are irrelevant in the marketplace. The times they are a changing. (If you can remember the sixties you were nor really there).
Hmmm, I beg to differ that the customer is always right.... You and your organisation may have your own business model and be happy to supply whatever service for "the right price", but I would rather see us work with the customer to have them better understand their needs and assess how we, as a service provider, can support and service their needs.
Many people ask for a paramedic and ambulance (more often due to ignorance etc) - we are trying to then discuss what it is they want service provision for and how we might be able to support their needs.
I would argue that many events (irrespective of the provider present) over supply resources (human and physical). This might be from a staff / member recruitment / retention perspective or a marketing and PR perspective or not clearly understanding and assessing the level of risk involved and adopting a risk averse methodology to their service provision.
I could give examples of where event organisers have ask for a one thing, but through consultation and discussion, an alternate looking service provision is provided.
Just an update for the motorcycling Australia issue - St John is continuing to liaise with MA and have given some timeframes in which their negotiations and discussions are based on. St John has no intention of suddenly removing its service provision from the MA (SA) events.
It is about working with the association to ensure that its requirements are met at events and that this is especially articulated to the clubs that convene events - as there is a significantly varied perspective and understanding of what is required for what level and type of events.
St John is still happily and continuing to service the Motorcycling Australia events both now and into the near future, however continuing raise the matters spoken about already.
Happy to field any further questions via PM, if there are any concerns.
Cheers
Shane
PS - All service providers have their PROS and CONS and I know enough about the bulk of them to know what their strengths and weaknesses are - I don't for one second believe that St John is the be and end all of event first aid / medical service provision at the present time. That's why I welcome competitors into the marketplace in SA and encourage competition.
