By Nathan Prendergast
There has been a large influx of refugees fleeing the conflict in Myanmar settling in the communities of Mae Hong Song and Mae Sot on the Thailand-Myanmar border; some of whom need basic first aid. Owner of First Aid Training Bangkok, Emergency First Response® Instructor Trainer Scott van Doren (EFRIT – 302826) has been working with local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to provide a two-day EFR® workshop for their staff. These staff are then able to provide care to refugees entering Thailand and those based in border towns close to conflict areas.
First Aid Training Bangkok has also worked with local refugee centers in Bangkok to help provide training to their staff. EFR workshops equip trainees with the necessary skills to provide emergency care in circumstances where professional care is unavailable.
For remote communities in the South Pacific, formal first-aid training can be difficult to come across. EFR Instructor Trainer Peter Bickerton (EFRIT – 62431) has spent the last seven years combining his dive trips to Fiji with conducting training for staff at local dive centers and resorts. In addition, he also provides first-aid kits and training materials from Australia to local community groups.
Bickerton has also worked with multiple other groups, including several focused on the empowerment of women. “We have been targeting remote locations in Fiji, where women are often seen as the primary caregivers,” he said. “First-aid training empowers them with knowledge and skills, enhancing their role in the community and improving their status.”
The hope is their work with the successful EFR first-aid programs will attract attention and additional support from other organizations and government agencies, leading to further development and improvement of community services. “We believe our charity first-aid initiatives are an effective way to support the health and well-being of remote communities, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-reliance while improving safety and health outcomes for all.”
Have You Renewed?
Has your Emergency First Response Instructor rating lapsed? EFR Instructors are required to renew their membership yearly to maintain Teaching status. If your rating has lapsed, there are prescriptive training options available to help you regain this status. Contact your local Emergency First Response office for more information.
