St John Ambulance and the National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) are rolling out free online first aid training for all truck drivers to recognise their status as often being the first responder at an accident scene.
The organisations are also making available a first aid kit at a massively discounted price, thanks to the support of a group of industry sponsors.
The training will be delivered via an online platform that will take a truckie through basic first aid training and a certificate is issued upon completion.
It will be accessed via a QR code (see below), which will also be promoted in Prime Creative Media publications, including Big Rigs. The QR code will also be printed onto written work diaries , thanks to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR).
You can also get started right now by signing up here.
“NatRoad’s thanks go not only to St John Ambulance but the NHVR and Prime Creative Media for their support of this important initiative,” said NatRoad CEO Warren Clark at the association’s annual conference on the Gold Coast this week.
“The partnership is a reminder that our entire industry has a stake in keeping people safe.”
The training goes hand-in-hand with St John Ambulances and NatRoad making available the specially adapted first aid kit.
Normally $264, the kit will be available to all drivers for $79 via the St John Ambulances ecommerce platform, thanks to the support of Ampol, Bridgestone, NTI and PACCAR and Dealer Industry Fund.
St John Ambulance Australia chief executive officer Brendan Maher explained that truckies are an important audience for both training and first aid kits: “This first aid initiative recognises the important role of Australia’s truckies.
“With accidents often occurring on regional or remote stretches of road, access to emergency medical care can take time. Having basic first aid skills that can be applied until help arrives, can save a life.”
NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto said he was proud to team with St John Ambulance and NatRoad to contribute to safer roads across the country.
“Thanks to this important partnership, truck drivers around Australia will be better equipped to deal with emergencies,” Petroccitto said.
“Drivers are the ones out on the roads every day, so it’s incredibly important to see them better prepared for those times when they’re first on the scene of an accident.
“We’re all committed to making the roads a safer place, and having this training in place will hopefully save lives.”