Abstract
Aim: The main aim of training in the field of qualified first aid (QFA) is to prepare firefighters-rescuers under the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system to assist victims at the site of the rescue operation until the transfer of the injured to the EMS. After more than 60 hours of training and obtaining a positive result in the examination, the firefighter is granted the diploma of a paramedic of qualified first aid which is valid for 3 years.
Introduction: The main aim of the study was to verify the state of knowledge of qualified first aid among the firefighters of the National Fire Service (NFS) and the Volunteer Fire Service (VFS) on the basis of the author’s survey.
Project and methods: A group of firefighters of the NFS and the VFS from the Westpomeranian Region was subjected to the study. The author’s questionnaire was filled in by 150 firefighters – 65 from the National Fire Service and 65 from the Volunteer Fire Service, as well as 20 from the Plant Fire Department.
Results: Issues concerning the need for a cervical collar to stabilise the cervical spine, the correct positioning of a pregnant woman without suspected injuries, the use of an oropharyngeal tube, and the management of haemorrhage, turned out to be best mastered (respectively 86%, 74%, 70% and 70%). In the study group, the most common wrong answers concerned the issue of wounds penetrating the chest, the principles of resuscitation in a patient in hypothermia, and the procedure after limb amputation – i.e. securing the amputated body parts (respectively 65%, 59% and 55%). Professional firefighters showed a significantly better state of knowledge in comparison with firefighters from the VFS 62% vs 52% (p <0.05).
Conclusions: 1. The state of knowledge among the firefighters of the NFS and the VFS should be regarded as satisfactory, but not excellent. The firefighers of the NFS showed a significantly better state of knowledge of QFA than the firefighters of the VFS. 2. The time between recertifications appears to be too long. 3. The matters requiring the greatest commitment should apply to procedures after amputation, resuscitation in hypothermia, and chest injuries. 4. Additional training courses between successive recertifications should be considered.
Keywords: 1. The state of knowledge among the firefighters of the NFS and the VFS should be regarded as satisfactory, but not excellent. The firefighers of the NFS showed a significantly better state of knowledge of QFA than the firefighters of the VFS. 2. The time between recertifications appears to be too long. 3. The matters requiring the greatest commitment should apply to procedures after amputation, resuscitation in hypothermia, and chest injuries. 4. Additional training courses between successive recertifications should be considered.
Type of article: review article