Using his wealth of knowledge and experience, Ian Dunbar, who recently joined the Fire Service College as Head of Curriculum, Firefighter Core Skills, has redesigned the content and delivery of our Skills for Justice accredited Road Traffic Collision Instructors Course. The redesign includes more focus on multi-agency working, extrication planning and myth busting common issues in relation to technical rescue.
As the result of a newly formed strategic partnership, the Fire Service College RTCi course will now include a Trauma CPD event delivered by Department of Paramedic Science from Kingston University and St Georges University of London. This CDP event will look at topics such as paediatric trauma, spinal immobilisation and pelvic injuries; all issues directly related to road traffic collisions. The aim is to improve the underpinning knowledge of instructors in relation to key topics.
The course will be open to pre-hospital clinicians who have been invited to assist with professional discussions and enhance the learning outcomes. As extrication is a truly multi-agency discipline, providing access to paramedics and doctors will allow the next generation of instructors to be more informed about the pre-hospital landscape. It will also hugely improve the extrication planning process by promoting active engagement at practitioner level.
Later in 2019, Ian will oversee the launch of our Heavy Vehicle Rescue Course which will be aimed at instructors and operational personnel. It will focus on new vehicles and scenarios that statistically, operational crews are most likely to attend.
There are also plans for ‘specialist’ extrication courses later in 2019 along with a comprehensive program of continuous professional development (CPD) events into 2020.
Throughout this year, Ian will be visiting fire and rescue services to deliver on site CPD sessions, the contents of which can be designed around individual service requirements.
Ian joined the UKFRS in 1992 and after a nearly 20 year career specialising in technical rescue and trauma care, accepted a role with one of the world’s leading manufacturers of hydraulic rescue equipment in 2011. During this time he assisted in the design and delivery of some innovative products now used by firefighters all over the world. He spent 7 years consulting and training in over 100 countries with fire and rescue services, military, law enforcement and industrial first responders. He authored a best-selling book ‘Vehicle Extrication Techniques’ and has worked closely with major motor manufacturers in Germany, Sweden and France researching the impact of modern vehicles on technical rescue operations.
He has recently worked with major clients such as the FIA (Formula 1’s governing body) where he was part of a project which saw the introduction of the HALO head protection system into the world premier motorsport. He remains an active member of The TOCA Safety Team, covering all rounds of the British Touring Car Championship.
For more information please visit: www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk
