19/09/2025
*St. John Ambulance Sabah and U.S. Embassy CMSE Strengthen Cooperation: Focus on Flood Response and First Aid Training*
Kota Kinabalu, September 18, 2025 — The St. John Ambulance of Malaysia, Sabah (SJAM Sabah) and the U.S. Embassy’s Civil Military Support Element (CMSE) held a follow-up meeting today in Kota Kinabalu to deepen collaboration in disaster response and medical training. This session placed particular emphasis on lessons learned from the recent floods in Penampang and explored future cooperation on community first aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) installations, and inter-agency coordination.
The CMSE delegation was led by Project Manager Shawn Hill, joined by Sergeant Brian Maclean and Medical Instructor Justus Simmons. This marked their second engagement with SJAM Sabah leadership in two days, underscoring the growing importance both parties place on long-term strategic partnership.
The meeting was hosted by SJAM Sabah State Commander Ng Ming Syoung, accompanied by Deputy State Commander Dr. Gan Kean Siong and senior officers. Discussions centered on the urgent question of how to strengthen Sabah’s disaster preparedness and medical emergency response capacity.
The CMSE team inquired in detail about the emergency response to the recent Penampang flash floods earlier this week. Mr. Lee Jia Jun, SJAM Sabah’s Disaster Management Officer, briefed the delegation on how SJAM volunteers mobilized quickly, working with Lions Club International 308 A2 and the Penampang 4x4 Association to deliver emergency food aid to affected households. He further noted that the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), local government authorities, and other NGOs also played crucial roles, ensuring resources were pooled and relief was delivered in the shortest possible time.
Following the meeting, the CMSE representatives, accompanied by State Commander Ng and Mr. Lee, visited the affected areas. Witnessing the coordinated efforts of government agencies and NGOs on the ground, the U.S. delegation expressed deep admiration.
“From the U.S. Embassy’s perspective, we are honored to witness such collaboration in action,” said Shawn Hill. “What is inspiring is how seamlessly NADMA, local authorities, and volunteer organizations worked together for the common good of the community. This type of cross-sector coordination is exactly the best practice that the international community advocates for in disaster management.”
*Expanding First Aid and AED Training*
Both parties agreed that building grassroots first aid capacity remains a cornerstone for effective disaster response in Sabah’s communities. SJAM Sabah outlined several key priorities:
Expanding CPR and AED training programs, while increasing AED installations in public areas to shorten emergency response times.
Strengthening flood-specific first aid skills, including drowning treatment, injury management during floods, and volunteer evacuation safety training.
Establishing a joint training framework that integrates U.S. disaster response expertise with local knowledge of Sabah’s unique geographic and social challenges.
Medical Instructor Justus Simmons shared insights from U.S. disaster response practices, including rapid triage, inter-agency coordination, and volunteer mobilization models. He also expressed readiness to provide training courses and technical support tailored to SJAM Sabah volunteers.
*“Service for Mankind”* Mission
In his concluding remarks, State Commander Ng Ming Syoung reaffirmed SJAM Sabah’s commitment:
“Disasters know no borders. First aid and rescue require cooperation across agencies and nations. St. John Ambulance Sabah will continue to uphold its mission of ‘service for mankind,’ working hand in hand with government, civil society, and international partners to deliver help where it is most needed.”
With this strengthened partnership between SJAM Sabah and the U.S. Embassy’s CMSE, Sabah’s grassroots disaster preparedness and first aid systems are expected to advance significantly, benefiting not only volunteers and trainees but also the broader community across the state.
