In a step reflecting its commitment to fostering a culture of specialised volunteering and empowering women to play active roles in community service, the Volunteer Office of the Dubai Women's Renaissance Association organised an advanced first aid course in cooperation with the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, as part of a comprehensive training programme aimed at raising the competency of volunteers and enhancing their readiness to handle various emergency situations in line with best international practices.
The course comes within the framework of the association's commitment to investing in the capacity-building of its volunteers, equipping them with practical skills that enable them to provide a rapid and effective initial response, in alignment with the Emirate of Dubai's directives to entrench a culture of prevention, enhance community readiness, and prepare qualified volunteer cadres capable of providing support when needed.
The course falls under the 'Sawaa'd Al Nahda for Ambulance' initiative, launched by the association with the aim of preparing a women's volunteer team equipped with the necessary competencies to support the crisis and emergency management system, and to contribute to providing a safe initial response during community events and programmes organised by the association, thereby enhancing the safety of participants and mitigating risks until specialised medical teams arrive.
The initiative seeks to entrench the concept of qualitative volunteering — one that relies on volunteers possessing specialist skills enabling them to perform their roles efficiently and add real value to the community, going beyond traditional participation in events and occasions.
Correct procedures
The training programme covered a range of applied modules, including the fundamentals of advanced first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), as well as methods for dealing with cases of choking, bleeding, fractures, and sudden injuries, and how to assess an injured person's condition and take the correct measures during the first few minutes — which are considered the most critical in saving lives.
The training also focused on the practical aspect, enabling participants to act with confidence and speed in emergency situations and to deal with the various scenarios they may encounter while carrying out community activities.
This course forms part of a continuous training plan implemented by the association's Volunteer Office, targeting the development of volunteers' capabilities and the preparation of cadres possessing the skills and knowledge that keep pace with the requirements of modern voluntary work, thereby contributing to raising the quality of community initiatives and enhancing their sustainability.
Strengthening partnerships
The organisation of the course in cooperation with the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services reflects the importance of institutional partnerships in supporting community initiatives, exchanging expertise, and providing specialised training programmes that keep pace with the latest international standards in the field of first aid and emergency response.