St John Ambulance and Rescue were among the voluntary organisations that assisted the Civil Protection Department (CPD) during Storm Harry, assisting emergency response operations amid rapidly changing and challenging weather conditions.
A total of 18 trained St John Ambulance and Rescue volunteers were deployed on the ground, working alongside CPD personnel to ensure an effective and coordinated response. Additional volunteers provided logistics and administrative support, helping maintain smooth operations throughout the storm.
For many of the volunteers, the experience highlighted the importance of preparation, teamwork, and collaboration across agencies.
“The last two days have been busy and eventful, but it’s exactly what we spend months preparing and training for,” said Charlton Sammut, a St John Ambulance & Rescue volunteer.
Dorianne Magri described the operation as both intense and deeply rewarding. “Assisting Civil Protection throughout the storm was an intense yet meaningful experience, and it reminded me why this work matters,” she said. “I could only do this thanks to St John Ambulance and Rescue Corps, the organisation I am proud to be part of and which serves entirely through volunteers. The solidarity shown by people on the road was remarkable, and the gratitude we encountered is something I will never forget.”
For Giulia Grech, the storm marked her first station call-out as a volunteer. “Despite the challenging weather, it was an experience I will never forget,” she said. “I was truly touched by the kindness and gratitude shown by the public. I’m incredibly proud of my fellow volunteers, who give their time freely and work selflessly to help others. I learned so much from this experience, and I’m grateful to St John for giving me the opportunity to serve.”
St John Ambulance and Rescue is a fully volunteer-led organisation, providing emergency response services in first aid and ambulance care, firefighting, water rescue, and urban search and rescue. All training, logistics, and administrative functions are also carried out by dedicated volunteers who freely give their time in service of the community.
The organisation expressed its gratitude for the professionalism and cooperation of all entities involved in the operation, noting that Storm Harry highlighted the critical role of trained volunteers and strong partnerships during national emergencies.
St John Ambulance and Rescue is actively inviting new volunteers to join. No prior experience is required, as full training is provided. By contributing their time, volunteers play a vital role in supporting emergency response efforts and safeguarding the community when it matters most.
For more information, email: join@stjohnmalta.org
