Fire control personnel should provide advice to zero responders about casualties who have severe bleeding or are unresponsive, only in situations when the call cannot be redirected to ambulance control.
Providing first aid should not put zero responders in increased danger. They should be advised to remain alert to current hazards and monitor for changes.
Fire control personnel should advise zero responders to give first aid only:
- If they are not injured themselves
- If the casualty cannot help themselves
- To one casualty at a time
Assessment of multiple casualties
If there are multiple casualties and emergency responders have not yet arrived, fire control personnel should ask basic assessment questions to help zero responders identify casualties most in need of initial lifesaving intervention, such as those who have severe bleeding or are not breathing.
Questions based on the Ten Second Triage tool are likely to help fire control personnel to support zero responders to identify these casualties quickly:
Ten Second Triage
- Is the casualty able to walk?
Yes – Casualties with minor injuries, who are in shock or confused should be told to move to a safe place
No – Ask next question
- Are there signs of severe bleeding?
Yes – provide initial advice to control severe bleeding. More information can be found in Initial advice to save lives: Control severe bleeding
No – Ask next question
- Is the casualty talking?
Yes – Do they have a penetrating injury to the front or back of their torso, such as a stab wound?
Yes – provide initial advice to control severe bleeding. More information can be found in Initial advice to save lives: Control severe bleeding
No – The casualty should be moved onto their side with their head tilted back to open their airway (recovery position)
No – Ask next question
- Is the casualty breathing?
Yes – The casualty should be moved onto their side with their head tilted back (recovery position)
No – Zero responder should start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. More information can be found in Initial advice to save lives: Unresponsive casualties.
Further information about the Ten Second Triage tool is provided in Search, rescue and casualty care – Carry out triage.