Organisations can improve their emergency response capabilities by integrating first aid personnel into emergency management training and drills by developing comprehensive training programs that include theoretical knowledge, practical skills training, and scenario-based simulations.

The role of first aiders in an emergency is to assess the situation and administer first aid treatment immediately to those experiencing a medical condition, ensuring that the situation is stabilised while waiting for emergency services to arrive and take over.

Adrian Date, CEO at Vital First Aid, states:

“Emergency management training and drills should include first aid personnel to ensure they can adapt their first aid skills and knowledge to different emergencies, and allow wardens to experience working with first aiders during evacuations to enhance response capabilities.”

We have provided five key benefits of including first aiders in emergency management training and drills below:

1 – Improved emergency preparedness

Integrating potential first aid scenarios into emergency management training and drills can enhance the overall preparedness of the response team by ensuring that the learning is tailored to the organisation’s specific needs and that the different types of first aid emergencies likely to occur are considered.

2 – Ability to identify gaps in the current emergency response plan

Utilising their skills and knowledge in first aid, first aid personnel can contribute to developing emergency response plans by raising issues that have yet to be considered by the larger response team, including input on medical supplies and equipment, and identifying potential risks and hazards.

3 – Enhanced response capabilities

First aiders are trained to provide immediate medical assistance to injured individuals during emergencies. Including them in emergency management training makes them an integral part of the response team, where their knowledge and skills can enhance response capabilities, significantly improving the chances of survival and reducing the severity of injuries in a real emergency.

4 – Improved teamwork and coordination

Participation by first aid personnel in emergency management training ensures a cohesive understanding of the emergency management procedures between first aiders and the Emergency Control Organisation (ECO), which will improve teamwork, communication, and coordination during emergencies, leading to more efficient and organised response efforts.

5 – Reduce the risk and impact of the emergency

Integrating first aid personnel into emergency management training can reduce the risk and impact of an emergency by minimising the likelihood, number, and severity of injuries through identification, planning and preparing for potential first aid incidents. Prompt and suitable first aid interventions can prevent minor injuries from escalating into more serious conditions, reducing the overall impact of the emergency.

If you would like to learn more about how Bounce Readiness can provide Emergency Management training to your organisation that includes first aid personnel, please get in touch. If you are looking for first aid training, you can reach out to Vital First Aid.