Welcome and Introduction

Freaky Friday – A Day in the Life of a First Responder

Between 2017 and 2018, ESTA dispatched over 2.1 million events that were responded to by first responders from Victoria’s various emergency services. This opening session will look at a day in the life of a first responder. It includes:

• What was your best and worst memory of being a first responder?
• What are the daily challenges faced by first responders?
• What do we have to know about the changes in CPD for first responders?
• What is your message for new first responders?

Back to Basics: Essential Components of the Primary Survey

The initial assessment and management of a person who has suffered trauma are critical to their outcome and recovery. This session will discuss the rapid systematic primary survey, which is based on established frameworks. Case scenarios will be used to demonstrate actions within different contexts. It includes:

• Cervical spine stabilisation
• Type of trauma, danger and response
• A – Airway
• B – Breathing and oxygenation
• C – Circulation and bleeding
• D – Disability and delegating tasks

Penetrating Trauma

Penetrating injuries and lacerations are some of the most graphic injuries you may encounter, and they may present as anything from a stab wound to evisceration. In this session, we will discuss:

• How can we assess for additional injuries secondary to penetrating trauma?
• Direct pressure v tourniquets – when and how do we use them?
• What are the special considerations for specific penetrating trauma, e.g. neck or spinal penetrating injuries or evisceration?

Managing Severe Burns

Severe burns (>20% TBSA burns, high voltage electrical injury (>1000 volts) or inhalation injury with or without dermal injury) require immediate treatment to minimise injury and prevent mortality. This session will discuss the latest updates in managing severe burns. It includes:

• In what way can we effectively manage pain in severe burn patients?
• When is intraosseous access needed in treating a burn patient?
• How can we treat a suspected airway burn?

Pink Blood? Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – A Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas, which means it can be inhaled without people realising. This invisible substance is linked to preventable mortalities related to the use of gas appliances that can be significant sources of carbon monoxide. This session considers:

• Prevention first – the importance of awareness and safety
• Who may be particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning
• Common causes of accidental and non-accidental exposure
• The clinical features of mild, acute and chronic carbon monoxide poisoning
• The immediate first-aid required
• An overview of management principles including resuscitation

Opioid Overdose – Clinical Assessment and Management

Opioids are widely prescribed, frequently administered by nurses and commonly used in the community. These medicines and drugs such as morphine, heroin and oxycodone have huge potential to cause significant harm. Because of the action of these substances and their capacity for respiratory depression, opioids are being implicated in a large and rising number of fatal overdoses. The prevalence of this demands that nurses are well informed about:

• Why opioids cause such high numbers of overdose deaths
• The signs and symptoms of opioid overdose
• How to assess and recognise an opioid overdose
• How an opioid overdose is managed
• The guidelines for the administration of naloxone
• How to prevent an opioid overdose – safe practises and harm minimisation

It Isn't a Crime to be Stressed: The Lived Experiences of a Former Victorian Police Officer

First responders, including police officers, are witnesses to the best and worst of humanity. This session will showcase the career of Narelle Fraser, a former Victorian police officer. It includes a case study. Learn:

• What were the challenges of being a police officer?
• What was Narelle’s most memorable case?
• How did Narelle deal with work-related stress?
• What did Narelle love about her job?
• What advice does Narelle have for first responders?

Note: There will be a 10-minute break at 10.00 am

Mandatory Reporting – Your Responsibility

There are several mandatory reporting requirements that affect all first responders. This session will encourage you to consider the implications of mandatory reporting for your role as a first responder. It includes:

• What is mandatory reporting?
• Do you know what your responsibilities are?
• What should you do if you suspect abuse or neglect within the workplace, including for civilians, patients and colleagues?

Acute Mental Health Examination: For All First Responders

It is essential that all first responders have the knowledge, skills and confidence to perform an acute mental health examination. This practical session will draw on relevant case studies to demonstrate how to assess an acutely unwell person with a mental health disorder. It includes:

• What are the basic principles of a mental health examination when someone is acutely unwell?
• What is distress and what clinical situations can this be seen in?
• Caring during a crisis – what do we need to say, do and know, to support a person?

De-Escalating Aggression and Violence

Unfortunately, aggression and violence towards first responders are increasing. Patients may behave erratically as a result of their condition, and you may be the first person that faces this stressed and aggressive person. In order to keep yourself safe, it is very important that you are aware of the skills needed to de-escalate a situation and reduce a person’s level of agitation and aggression. This session explores methods and insights that help to prevent workplace aggression. It includes:

• How can you deal with aggression?
• What strategies are useful to de-escalate aggression?
• The use of language and body language – what matters?
• How can you reduce potential harm to yourself and others?
• Who can you seek help from if exposed to danger?

When the Dust Settles – Mental Health Issues in First Responders

First responders are exposed to traumatic events on a daily basis and, because of this, they are at a high risk of developing mental health issues. This session will discuss:

• What is vicarious trauma?
• What are some examples of maladaptive coping mechanisms?
• Is there a way to prevent or reduce mental health issue rates in first responders?