St John Rescue Corps

Julian Sammut, in his letter Cowardice Is No Real Threat (May 19), states that: "If they want to play at heroics let them join the Territorial Army, or the St John's Ambulance Rescue team".

First of all, I wish to inform Mr Sammut that the correct designation is St John Rescue Corps and that this corps of volunteers forms part of St John Ambulance (Malta).

While the St John Rescue Corps condemns all acts of violence, intimidation and vandalism (following our motto "for the service of humanity"), it certainly does not welcome among its members anyone following such behaviour.

Furthermore, I would like to make it clear that none of our members "plays at heroics" as all volunteers in the Corps follow a rigorous rescue-training programme which conforms to the modern standards of training used by any professional rescue organisation and therefore are taught to operate under strict standing operating procedures when they are called upon by the constituted authorities to assist in national emergencies.