Stephen Kahn

On #InternationalWomensDay, I am happy to praise the influence of women in my life. I have a focused & caring daughter, a delightful granddaughter, an enlightening partner & been positively influenced by many women in both my professional & volunteering lives. I salute you all

80 years ago today Auschwitz was liberated. None of us can fully understand the horrors of that & other concentration camps. My Dutch family trace back to 1570 but 80 - 90% of the 20th century members were murdered in camps many in Auschwitz. I will not forget.

Last Sunday @stjohnambulance provided medical cover for @RoyalTankRegt & @AJEX_UK at the Cenotaph. At the end of the day we were joined by Lord Stirling who was originally a cadet and is a Knight of St John (KStJ)

I have for some years posted on @stjohnambulance OpComms but this is my last as I stand down. Often it was like riding a bucking bronco but the dedication knowledge & expertise of technical volunteers has been incredible & I am grateful to them all, they are true stars.

It took a tad more work than expected to provide communications for @stjohnambulance volunteers and patients @leicesterpride. Thanks to all the opcomms team who made it happen but also to teams at stadia now that football is underway & @HomeOfCricket busy weekend great teamwork

@stjohnambulance operational communications is in the middle of a busy 10 days supplying infrastructure and control teams to Aldborough Carnival Cromer Carnival Clacton Airshow Birmingham Pride Notting Hill Carnival and more. It takes knowledge time & dedication from volunteers.

Waldorf & Statler on a day at the seaside (you will either know or need Google). @stjohnambulance should applaud the dedication of Dave to communications he was at Aldborough derigging yesterday morning setting up comms at Cromer in the afternoon and setting up at Clacton today

@stjohnambulance Op Comms and Essex logistics teams joint working at Clacton in preparation for the Airshow. Both teams first in & will be last out on Friday. Am proud to share a photograph with these hard working & dedicated volunteers. Thank you to them all

@stjohnambulance operational communications can not only work hard but also enjoy benefits. This is the fireworks that ends each day of Shrewsbury flower show. Hard work setting up on Thursday so thanks to the team & enjoy tonight's show before another day tomorrow derigging

Much @stjohnambulance focus has been in the south this weekend but an OpComms team in West Mids was also providing control and communications throughout the weekend and provided support to their colleagues in the build up to Bedford. A team effort & reliability when called upon

After Bedford River Festival finished it has still required the @stjohnambulance OpComms team today to derig check and despatch as all kit will be needed again almost immediately. I am grateful we have volunteers who have both time and expertise to do a professional job.

This role badge is over 30 years old & it's owner is a couple of years older than that. I won't comment further apart from I have had so many different opportunities in @stjohnambulance that I would never have anticipated when I joined as a rookie first aider.

@RH074_Mat @davebeel @guypl were working until well past midnight to set up the @stjohnambulance control and operational communications for Bedford River Festival and are on site again today. Sometimes it is forgotten how much work beforehand is needed for events. Thanks to all 3

@stjohnambulance yesterday @Twickenhamstad & today @BedfordEventsUK River Festival I am always grateful for the dedication of operational communications colleagues who go the extra mile sometimes literally. It is not easy to plan rig or test kit so thank you to them all.

@Wimbledon @godivafestival 2 different events with @stjohnambulance providing medical cover. Operational communications need constant robust systems to ensure safety of personnel & large crowds. Thanks to technical crews & control teams who put in long days to make it happen

There are occasions when @stjohnambulance operational communications equipment needs tlc. The command & control vehicle is a great workhorse but a little tired. Thanks to @guypl and Dave S who so far have given 2 days for this. When complete it will extend capability for 5 years

This week @stjohnambulance operational communications has a busy weekend in south east. Yesterday at Trooping The Colour and today London to Brighton Bike Ride. 2 very different events requiring different infrastructure. Volunteers providing professional standards. Thanks to all.

Having focused on @stjohnambulance Op Comms in West Mids recently we point the compass southward and thank the teams @RoyalCornwall @PolointhePark Colonels Review. Wherever there are medium to large events operational communications in 1 guise or other will provide expertise.

I saw these at the side of the road today and so this is my small reflection on the gallantry of all those who died 80 years ago today on the Normandy beaches on D Day. Without their valour our lives would have been very different today. We Will Remember Them. ©srkmedia

#volunteersweek is the opportunity to say thank you to all @stjohnambulance #StJohnPeople I work with on a regular basis primarily in Communications but also in regions they are dedicated & professional. It's the reason I volunteer - I get the pleasure of the work relationship