Over the past six months, Romania Red Cross first-aid trainers have undergone a training program to become Trainers of First Aid Trainers, with the support of the French Red Cross and guidance from the Global First Aid Reference Center (GFARC). The aim of this program is to improve first-aid practices in Romania, which had the lowest number of trained first-aiders across Europe. The initiative involves increasing the number of trained individuals, updating first aid protocols and policies, and enhancing first aid infrastructure.
The goal of this program is part of a broader framework aligned with the Vision 2030 initiative. It involves developing a team of skilled Trainers of Trainers (ToT) who can share their expertise across diverse communities, modernizing first aid manuals to reflect the latest evidence-based practices and guidelines, and formulating a robust action plan to enhance first aid policy and implementation strategies with an emphasis on inclusivity and accessibility.
The importance of this initiative is heightened by the humanitarian imperative at Romania’s borders, where the influx of refugees and migrants increases the demand for proficient first aid responders. As neighboring countries grapple with socio-political turmoil, the need for a strong first aid infrastructure becomes more pronounced, transcending geographical boundaries.
The final phase of the Trainers of Trainers development course was completed during the last session from February 26th to March 3rd. This session was attended by 31 individuals including physicians, nurses, staff, and volunteers. The course integrated the 2023 Revised ToT curriculum, emphasizing practical skills and fostering a sense of ownership and leadership among participants.
Even though the number of participants was high in comparison to the number of Master Educators, the participants received individual feedback and micro-teaching on their lesson plan. The training progressed as planned, and the objectives were met as the participants shared good practices and participated actively in the sessions.
Congrats to all involved, including the Romanian Red Cross team, Master Educators, GFARC, and all participants! The session was a great success.
