Operational partnerships - First aid medics training SOP (O44a)

1. Summary of changes

1.1. The following amendments have been made to this standard operating procedure (SOP) in February 2024 - no amendments to content have been made. 

2. What this procedure is about

2.1. This SOP outlines the requirements for first aid training across the whole organisation.

2.2. All first aiders must undertake training before taking up their first aid duties by attending a recognised first aid course delivered by an approved provider. This must be renewed when necessary through a recognised refresher training course. Records of staff trained will be held centrally and time should be allocated for trained staff to re-qualify as necessary.

Compliance with this SOP and any governing policy is mandatory.

3. Detail the procedure

3.1 The first aid training programmes available consist of the following modules/courses.

3.1.1. Module 1: Basic life Support - 90 minutes

This module is designed for police personnel requiring awareness of what to do in a first aid emergency. The learning provides basic awareness of first aid principles and procedures and allows the learner to gain knowledge of basic emergency procedures.

3.1.2. Module 2: First aid skills police - 6 hours

This module is designed for police officers and operational support staff who have direct contact with the public. This module is equivalent to the HSE 'emergency first aider at work' standard. It focuses on the level of first aid identified by the HSE as the acceptable level for police officers and operational support staff. The learning addresses basic principles of first aid and deals with a wide range of medical situations that personnel may be expected to deal with. This module includes the learning outcomes addressed in module 1, basic life support. Annual refresher training is required. This training includes the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

3.1.3. Module 3: custody first aid - supplement to module 2

This module is designed for staff working within custody areas, such as custody sergeants, gaolers and detention officers and other relevant personnel determined by the force, that are responsible for the care of detainees. The learning addresses a range of medical situations that personnel working in a custody environment are more likely to encounter. This module supplements module 2.

3.1.4. Automated External Defibrillator (AED) - 30 minute e-learning NCALT package

Aimed at staff that may be called upon to assist in the immediate treatment of a patient in sudden cardiac arrest. An AED can be used safely and effectively without previous training. However, training is encouraged to help improve the time to shock delivery and ensure correct pad placement. The AED scheme within Kent Police is supportive of the NHS and is not a replacement treatment regime.

3.1.5. Module 4 first aid at work police - 18 hours

This module is designed for officers or police staff working in medium to high risk areas where the operational plan requires a higher level of first aid than the emergency first aider can provide. This module is the first aider at work (FAW) standard equivalent to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It focuses on the level of first aid identified by the HSE as the acceptable level for medium to high risk work environments and operational duties.

The learning addresses basic principles of first aid and deals with a wide range of medical situations that personnel may be expected to deal with. It addresses the same content as module 2 however develops this further by adding more complex medical and trauma skills. Annual refresher training is required.

3.2. Module 5- Enhanced first aid skills

This module is designed for specific roles such as firearms and public order police personnel who are non-healthcare professionals working in high risk environments. This learning supplements the basic foundation first aid skills.

This module offers a menu of enhanced first aid skills that the National First Aid Forum has been advised are suitable for police personnel who are non-healthcare professionals. The Faculty of Pre Hospital Care Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh has defined the content of this module as achievable and legally appropriate for the police service.

This learning has been designed in addition to basic foundation first aid skills, appropriate to role requirements (modules 1 basic life support, 2 first aid skills police (emergency first aider at work) or 4 first aid at work police), and should not be taught in isolation. These skills must be refreshed annually.

3.2.1. National Police Firearms and Public Order Requirement for First Aid Learning

The National Police Firearms curriculum defines the 'standard' and 'enhanced' first aid skills requirements for firearms officers. These requirements are integrated to the first aid learning high level outcomes and are referred to as D13 1 and D13 2. The learning should be taught in a firearms context. The D13 1 and D13 2 learning outcomes are accessed through the private 'uniform operational support - firearms' community forum. D13 1 and D13 2 descriptors are also cross referenced in this specification in appendix 1.

The public order medics first aid training should also be taught in a public order medics' context and the content of the training should reflect the learning outcomes for module F3 of the National Police Public Order Public Safety Training Curriculum which are also referenced in this specification.

3.2.2. First responder - 18 hours

Meets the requirements of the COP national police firearms training curriculum (NPFTC) enhanced level for AFOs. Aimed at staff that work in semi-permissive or non-permissive environments that may have a requirement above the responder level. The risk assessment for this level of training should be in conjunction with the force public order unit.

Police first responder also known as: COP police use of firearms D13.2.

3.2.4. Tactical medic (firearms) - 80 hours

The course is aimed at AFOs who are required to be the clinical lead during semi and non-permissive environments in the absence of the NHS. The force public order unit will conduct the risk assessment for this level of training.

Tactical medic (firearms) also known as: COP police use of firearms D13.2 plus add on modules.

3.2.5. Public order medic - 80 hours

This course meets the requirements for COP national police public order public safety training curriculum 'module F3'. The training is aimed at those officers working at level 2 MAST who will have the duty to treat in the active public order arena with delayed NHS support.

3.3. Refresher training

Course	Contact time
Module 2 and 3 - annually	4 hours
First aid at work - year 3 re-qualification course	12 hours
Responder - annually	6 hours
Enhanced responder - annually	12 hours
Teams/public order medic - annually over total of four days, with one of these days being with SECAmb and one of the days being in hospital	24 hours
Teams/public order medic - every third year to include one additional day (making five in total during that year) allowing for assessment by external assessor from the NHS

3.4. Training and training records

3.4.1. Core frontline officers, PCSOs and special constables and specialist tactical officers, designated first aiders and custody staff are the priority group to receive practical training courses. All other staff not in these groups will not receive practical training courses unless agreed by the public order unit on a risk assessed basis.

4. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.1. An EIA has been carried out and shows the proposals have a low potential or actual differential impact on groups or race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, transgender, disability, age, religion or belief or sexual orientation.

This SOP has been assessed as medium risk.

5. Consultation

• Staff Safety Training Unit
• Public Order Unit
• Clinical Governance Board
• Human Resources
• IT Security
• Finance
• Estates
• Health and Safety
• Legal
• Freedom of Information
• Unison
• Police Federation

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. The policy will be monitored by the Staff Safety Training for First Aid and Public Order Unit for medics training via the Clinical Governance Board to ensure compliance with College of Policing guidance for first aid and medics training.

6.2. This SOP will be reviewed every two years with the next scheduled review taking place in February 2024.

7. Other source documents

None listed.

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.