Medical training in the UK fire service.

In 2005 the Faculty of Prehospital Care (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh) were approached by two UK fire services for advice on trauma training relevant to their practice. No national standard was found regarding the medical knowledge, skills or equipment required for a UK firefighter. A paper survey was sent to the chief fire officer of the 62 fire services in the UK asking which medical skills were currently taught and practised in their service. The response rate was 84% and there was little consensus in utilised skills. The Faculty of Prehospital Care supports the development of a national standard and training model for medical training in the UK fire service, which should cover non-invasive techniques of resuscitation suggested in this article.