The number of new volunteers with the St John Rescue Corps has tripled in three years, going up to 50 recruits this year.
The figure was given by Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela during the annual review of the organisation on Saturday.
Referring to the importance of continuous self-development, Mr Abela congratulated the corps for its diverse training courses, which range from beginner to skilled rescuer levels, both locally and abroad.
“This shows your commitment to providing volunteers with the highest levels of instruction, skills and knowledge including in first-aid, fire-fighting, cliff rescue, rescue diving and flood relief operations, so that they will become more effective and competent rescuers,” he said.
The St John Rescue Corps is a voluntary organisation that provides rescue services during community events and large scale rescue operations.
In the past three years, the number of new members has tripled from 15 a year to around 50 in this year’s intake.
The latest group, recruited in January, is undergoing a training programme to qualify in six months as Rescue Volunteers Class 1.
Last year, 10 members travelled to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief in Germany to train with overseas professional rescue organisations. Another 21 trained with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service in Liverpool.
The corps has around 100 volunteers deployed in frontline operations with an average age of 22. These include tertiary level students, nurses, teachers and clerical staff.
The corps has so far trained more than 3,000 people who now have the skills to assist in emergency situations.
Last year, they participated in more than 50 exercises and various community projects, including emergency call-outs with the Civil Protection Department.
These activities included packing and loading food provisions for shipments on humanitarian operations such as the Bosnia Flood Relief Operation.