st john ambulance is run by its founders, the venerable order of saint john. the order is a descendant of the knights hospitaller of the middle ages. they founded the first branch of st john ambulance in the united kingdom in the 19th century. in 1877, the st john ambulance association was set up to teach first aid skills. in 1887, the st john ambulance brigade was founded to provide first aid at local events. these two have since been merged into the english branch of st john ambulance.