The Global First Aid Reference Centre (GFARC) has once again demonstrated its determination to support National Societies wishing to strengthen their first aid programmes by making its expertise and educational resources available to them. This time, the Center has intervened in Eastern Europe in two initiatives, the first in Bulgaria and the second in Romania, to reinforce the competence of trainers and the quality of first aid training.
Training of trainers in Bulgaria:
From February 15th to 20th 2025, the National Training Center of the Bulgarian Red Cross in Lozen hosted a training of trainers (ToT) organized by GFARC. This intensive five-day program enabled eight Bulgarian doctors to become trainers of trainers, consolidating both their technical first aid skills and their ability to transmit this knowledge in a pedagogical manner adapted to local needs.
The ToT program is designed to prepare experienced trainers to take on the role of trainer of trainers. It includes theoretical sessions, practical exercises and educational scenarios. Participants are encouraged to develop facilitation and support skills in order to ensure the effective and dynamic transfer of knowledge. This ToT has directly expanded the training capacities of the Bulgarian Red Cross and increased the number of local initiatives for learning life-saving skills.
International First Aid Attestation in Romania:
From February 20 to 27, 2025, the GFARC went to Romania for a field visit to evaluate three first aid training programs for the International First Aid Attestation (IFAA). For five days, the teams observed three training sessions in Bucharest, Craiova and Calarasi.
These evaluations made it possible to verify the conformity of the programs with the international guidelines of the IFRC, thus guaranteeing the quality of the training provided. The results were very positive: the three programs evaluated obtained the International First Aid Certificate for a period of five years. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable work accomplished by the Romanian Red Cross’s teaching teams, who strive to provide high-quality training while meeting local needs.
These initiatives demonstrate the commitment of GFARC and National Societies to implementing the IFRC’s Vision 2030, which aims to make communities more self-sufficient and better prepared for emergencies by developing first aid skills and encouraging educational innovation.
