In 2025, St John Emergency Management Group is introducing Emergency Response Teams (ERTs)! You might have heard the term before, but we’re giving it a fresh approach to truly embody our position as the Medical Reserve and our mantra: “Ready to Respond.” These teams will be made up of skilled and dedicated members who can be deployed quickly to help in emergencies or disasters.
St John NSW has strengthened its bipartisan relationship with other emergency services to offer these training opportunities for our members to enhance clinical, operational and emergency response practice.
What is an ERT?
An Emergency Response Team (ERT) consists of five members—a mix of general members and healthcare professionals (HCPs)—who receive extra training to prepare them for deployment at short notice. They’re the first boots on the ground in an emergency, helping out wherever they are needed most to support the combat agencies.
What kind of teams are there?
There are three types of ERTs, each with different skill sets:
· ERT Responders – Members who hold First Responder qualifications or higher, including HCPs.
· ERT Healthcare Professionals – A team made up of doctors, nurses, and paramedics providing advanced care.
· ERT Specialists – A highly experienced team of EMTs and HCPs, equipped for more complex situations.
Do ERT members stay part of their Division?
100%. This is a personal development opportunity for our team members and augments Divisional and Event duties. Being part of an ERT does not mean leaving your Division. It will just give you an additional skillset to enhance your clinical practice and experience. You’ll still be part of your local Divisional, Hub, or Zone team. Your Divisional Leaders will continue to support and manage your involvement, ensuring you stay engaged in regular St John activities.
How do I qualify for an ERT?
If you’re keen to join, here’s what you need:
· Be an active member of your Division/unit.
· Hold current clinical qualifications for your level.
· Be fit and healthy and meet the St John Fitness for Duty Standards.
· Be ready to deploy on short notice.
· HCPs must maintain their professional credentials.
Will I get extra training?
Absolutely! The Emergency Management Group will provide extra training to get you ready. This includes face-to-face and online courses covering:
· Bushfire Awareness
· Aircraft Safety
· Deployment Procedures
· And much more!
What kind of situations will I be deployed to?
ERT Responders will be called to:
· Natural disasters – Fires, floods, storms, and more.
· RFS Base Camps & Staging Areas – Supporting emergency services.
· Evacuation Centres – Helping displaced communities.
· Community operations – Providing assistance wherever needed.
ERT HCPs will play a more specialized role, offering medical support alongside responders—this could mean working as doctors, nurses, or paramedics in the field.
How do I sign up?
If this sounds like something you’d love to be part of, chat with your Divisional Leader and complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form here: https://forms.office.com/r/XHLfc1H4Yj
Your application will go through an approval process to make sure all levels of command are on board. Once approved, we’ll get in touch with details about your ERT training course!
Why join the ERT?
The ERT program is about showing our strength as a team and proving that St John is always ready to respond. By building our skills and working together, we can make a real difference in times of crisis.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Emergency Management Team via emergency.management@stjohnnsw.com.au. We’d love to have you on board!
Are you ready to step up and make an impact? Join the ERT today!
