Evaluation of the usefulness of life-saving courses among firefighters of the units of Higher Public School of Fire-brigade on the territory of the Silesian Voievodship

Premedical qualified approach for casualties is very important. According to the most recent recommendation a Fire Brigades members play very important role in Polish National Rescue System. Their dutes and responsibilities have been precisely described by Act of National Rescue System dated on 8th September 2006. The authors have carried out questionnaire among of 99 firemans working in region of Silesia, Poland. The aim of the study was to find out how the fireman’s do use the practical skills in everyday practice, to define the most common injuries, circumstances and element of stress accompanying the rescuers. All questioned fireman’s have answered that a BLS (Basic Life Support) course is very useful, almost everyone (93.2%) has been dealing with casualties during emergency situations. The self confidence of fireman’s markedly improved after the BLS. Also there were different types of injuries with the most often seen communication accidents. Over half (> 50%) of questioned fireman’s experiencing a markedly pronounced stress during the action. The are particular afraid of terrorist attack and accident with parcitipans of young children accordingly.