St. John Ambulance with two wings-Association and Brigade- is a social, humanitarian, multiracial voluntary organization engaged in the relief of the sick and injured in war and peace irrespective of caste creed or nationality. The International Headquarters is located at London and National Headquarters is located at New Delhi. Hon’ble President of India is the President and Union Health Minister is the Chairman of St. John Ambulance, India. Each State and Union Territory including Railway Zone has St. John Ambulance Centre. The Odisha State Centre was established in 1942 and it is located at Bhubaneswar. Hon’ble Governor, Odisha is the President and Minister, Health is the Chairman of the Odisha State Centre. The State Centre has a high power Executive Body comprising of senior officers of State Government and non-official members.

The Emblems and badges of St. John Ambulance are registered under Emblems and names. Act 1950-XII on 1950 and this organization is recognized vide St. John Ambulance Association (India) Transfer of Funds Act.1956 (Act 21 of 1956). Donations to it are exempted under section 80-G (2) (a) (iv) of the Income Tax Act,1961.

In 1877, the St. John Ambulance Association was established in England by the Order of St. John to provide training in First Aid. The St. John Ambulance Brigade was raised to provide voluntary First Aid to the public. Queen Victoria granted a “Charter of Incorporation” to the Order of St. John in recognition of the excellent work performed by the members of the Order. In 1968, the Association and Brigade merged to form St. John Ambulance.

The Principal motto of St. John is “ For the Service of Mankind”. The emblem is the white eight-pointed cross (also called maltese cross). White symbolises purity and the four arms of the cross symbolize prudence, fortitude, temperance and justice. The eight points on the cross of St.John symbolize Humanity, Compassion, Courtesy, Devotion, Mercy, Purity, Peace and Endurance.

National leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru had served this organization. Infact, Gandhiji initiated the smooth establishment of St. John Ambulance in India and within a year, centres were established in Mumbay, Kolkata, Chennai and the Railways. The Indian Council of Association was established in 1912 which imparted instructions in First Aid and allied subjects. The St. John Ambulance Brigade in India was established in 1928.

Besides holding an impeccable record for rendering First Aid to the needy the Association has also been training thousands of citizens on First Aid, Home Nursing, Hygiene and Sanitation, Mothercraft and Child Welfare etc. Its outreach activities are important not only for timely attendance to casualties but also motivating young volunteers to provide free public service.

The Brigade wing of St. John Ambulance is a uniformed disciplined body of dedicated and selfless workers, who have received training from the Association wing. The wing has been working at providing succor to the sick and injured during war as well as peace. The members continuously update their knowledge through specialized training programmes and provide First Aid cover when and wherever required. The Brigade members duly qualified in First Aid, ambulance drill and nursing duties are willingly available to be placed at the disposal of the government. The armed forces or other authorities to supplement medical services in case of emergencies. The dedicated corps of St. John Ambulance is a great asset which very few organizations are endowed with.