IT is no exaggeration to call volunteers with St John Ambulance community heroes.

They save lives, via first aid, treat pain management and deliver big doses of care and compassion at local events, festivals and in emergencies.

Volunteers have been the lifeblood of St John Ambulance Victoria since 1883, with the Portland division operating for more than 50 years.

Portland St John volunteers can be deployed anywhere around the state and even interstate during crises such as the Queensland floods in 2011, and recently to Beaufort and the Maryborough relief centre as bushfires tore through the region.

Locally, the familiar green uniform is seen at the Upwelling festival, New Year’s Eve on the foreshore, Wood, Wine and Roses in Heywood, the speedway, drag racing and offroad racing, and at regional events such as the Pitch Festival in Moyston.

Local members also volunteer at the footy in Melbourne and Geelong.

Tony Oxford has been Portland divisional manager for more than 20 years, while also holding down a busy day job with Ambulance Victoria as emergency management planning co-ordinator (though he is now transitioning to retirement).

He currently manages 14 volunteers, including three nurses and a fellow paramedic.

But he would like a few more recruits.

“Ideally, if we sit around at 20 volunteers ongoing, it would take the pressure off the rest of the team,” he said.

Mr Oxford says a key rewarding aspect of being a St John volunteer is being part of the community and engaging with people.

“No qualifications are needed to become a recruit, just an interest in helping others.”

New recruits are trained in first aid, graduating to first responders after six months. Further training includes advanced first aid and resuscitation (including oxygen administration), medication management and providing pain relief.

Uniforms and incidentals are all provided.

Depending on the number of recruits, training can take place in Warrnambool or Portland rather than in Melbourne.

“If you live in Portland and surrounding areas and are keen to volunteer, we could love to hear from you,” Mr Oxford said.

An online information session will be held on Wednesday, March 27 from 6pm. To register, visit stjohnvic.com.au.