Over many years, Hong Kong St. John Ambulance has upheld its mission of humanity, voluntary service, and excellence in first aid. Behind every public duty, training exercise, and major event deployment are dedicated officers who devote their time and expertise to serving the community.
This feature recognises and honours those members who embody the spirit of St John, demonstrating professionalism, discipline, compassion, and teamwork. By sharing their journey, we acknowledge their contribution and reaffirm our shared commitment to preparedness, resilience, and service to humanity.
Among these dedicated officers are Fiona Cheung, Senior Ambulance Officer of Kowloon Command, and Fan Ho Yin, Assistant Superintendent of Hong Kong Island Command. Both have shown exceptional leadership and commitment to St John, combining operational expertise with a passion for training, mentoring, and community service.
Fiona Cheung, Senior Ambulance Officer, Kowloon Command
Fiona Cheung Ho Yan serves as the Senior Ambulance Officer of the Waterloo B Division in Kowloon East Region No.1 Corps, Kowloon Command. In addition, she is a First Aid Lecturer and AED Instructor with the St John Ambulance Association. Her motivation to join the Brigade came from a pivotal personal experience: encountering an unconscious person before she had more than a basic first-aid certificate. The uncertainty she felt in that moment made her realise the importance of advanced knowledge, practical skills, and the confidence to act decisively, which inspired her to fully dedicate herself to St John.
In her current role, Fiona focuses on building a strong, cohesive team. She arranges the annual training and activities calendar, leads teams into Brigade competitions, designs scenario-based training, manages logistics for public events, and coordinates advanced workshops with healthcare professionals. Her approach ensures that every member is not only technically proficient but also engaged and ready to serve both individually and as part of a cohesive unit.
Fiona has been involved in significant events such as the National Games, where she served as a first-aider. She admires the meticulous planning behind such large-scale operations and takes pride in knowing that her role contributed to a safe and smooth event. She finds great fulfilment in guiding her team, valuing the personal growth gained from working with diverse members and the division’s culture of “harmony without uniformity,” which strengthens the team’s resilience and empathy.
Challenges in her service often come from unfamiliar roles, such as hosting events or coordinating logistics, which she overcomes by seeking guidance, researching references, and breaking tasks into manageable steps. Memorable moments include participating in first-aid and foot drill competitions, as well as providing first-aid support at the HK100 Ultramarathon, where long shifts in harsh conditions reinforced the importance of their presence for athletes.
Outside St John, Fiona enjoys hiking, running, and water sports, finding perspective and refreshment in nature. She dreams of traveling to South America to explore its natural beauty, volcanic mountains, and rich cultural heritage. Looking ahead, she hopes to take on more externally focused roles and manage larger-scale events, representing St John on a wider platform. Her advice to new members is to embrace every opportunity, practice diligently, value teamwork, and hold on to a personal “why” to make every moment of service meaningful.
Fan Ho Yin
Assistant Superintendent, Hong Kong Island Command
Fan Ho Yin, also known by his English name Ryan, is a Chartered Building Services Engineer and serves as an Assistant Superintendent in Hong Kong St John Ambulance Brigade. He is Officer-in-Charge of Hong Kong Island Command, Hong Kong West Region, Hong Kong West No. 2 Corps, Aberdeen Division, and also works as a First Aid Lecturer and AED Instructor. He has been a member for over 20 years, having first studied first aid during a university summer holiday. The opportunity to continue learning while applying first-aid skills to serve the community motivated him to join St John in 2005.
In his current role, Fan is responsible for managing large-scale public events, including horse racing at Happy Valley Racecourse and football matches at Hong Kong Stadium. He allocates manpower, facilitates communication between internal and external parties, and ensures events are conducted safely. He also maintains routine divisional operations, assigning members to duties and providing training in Pre-Hospital Care, First Aid, and Home Nursing to ensure preparedness for first-aid services.
Fan’s experience at the 15th National Games Triathlon was particularly significant. Serving as Liaison Officer at the Venue Command Centre, he coordinated closely with internal teams and paramedics from the Fire Services Department and Hospital Authority, gaining valuable insights into the latest skills and equipment. He also values working with members from diverse backgrounds, seeing it as an opportunity to broaden friendships and expand knowledge through mutual learning.
Challenges in his role include guiding members who may be nervous when treating life-threatening cases, such as patients in cardiac arrest. By taking leadership and providing clear instructions, he helps them regain confidence and perform effectively. One of his most memorable experiences was performing CPR on a 70-year-old man during a table tennis competition in 2008. Despite the patient ultimately passing away, the experience reinforced the importance of AEDs and proper first-aid protocols — lessons he continues to share with his students.
Outside of St John, Fan enjoys hiking, playing video games, and studying Japanese. If given the chance to travel anywhere, he would visit Finland to witness the Aurora, a spectacular natural phenomenon he has never seen. Looking ahead, he hopes to continue serving the community, explore management opportunities, and strengthen connections with national St John organisations. He advises new members to take routine first-aid training seriously, pursue advanced medical knowledge, and maintain their original motivation to serve the community.
We are proud to recognise volunteers like Fiona Cheung and Fan Ho Yin, whose dedication, professionalism, and compassion exemplify the spirit of St John. Their commitment to leadership, training, and community service strengthens our ability to provide high-quality first aid across Hong Kong. We thank them and all our volunteers for their tireless service, and we are inspired by their example to continue building a resilient, skilled, and caring community in the service of humanity.
