Analysis of qualified first aid procedures for injuries in the activities of the State Fire Service in Lublin in 2016–2018

INTRODUCTION: The State Fire Service (SFS) medical activities are conducted at the level of qualified first aid (QFA). This is a lower standard than emergency medical services (EMS) implemented by The Polish EMS, however, the number of QFA procedures available to firefighters allows them to conduct effective medical operations in both life-threatening and traumatic and non-traumatic life. The aim of the study is a comparative analysis of QFA procedures for injured trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical activities of the SFS in Lublin were analysed, from which events and procedures regarding injuries to injured persons and rescuers themselves during activities over a three-year period (i.e. in the years 2016–2018) were separated. In order to analyse the collected results, medical procedures concerning only injuries were identified, which are the most numerous group of procedures. For the purposes of analysis, the procedure was divided into two groups: (1) injuries – burns; (2) injuries. RESULTS: In 2016, n = 133 trauma procedures were implemented among all medical activities. In 2017, n = 330 trauma procedures were implemented among all medical activities, while in 2018 n = 245 trauma procedures were implemented. In 2016, burns affected people with an average age of 56 ± 14 years, in 2017 — 51 ± 21 years, and in 2018 — 49 ± 19 years. The average for a total of three years of people with burns was 39 ± 19 years. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Traffic events (accidents, collisions, deductions) constitute the largest number of local threats. 2. QFA procedures well suited to current threats, officers of SFS Lublin in the examined period used 20 out of 22 QFA procedures, including most of the procedures regarding injuries