Preparing Individuals to become Active Bystanders

background: As natural and manmade disasters continue to impact our Nation with growing frequency, the role of individuals in reducing the impact of disasters has become increasingly evident. Often bystanders – people at the scene of an emergency who are not part of the formal emergency response system – play a critical role in the initial response to these disasters.

methods: Together the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Red Cross (ARC), American Heart Association (AHA), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Preparedness and Response (OASPR) developed a training course, Becoming an Active Bystander, to empower and teach bystanders how to take safe and appropriate actions if and when they find themselves at the scene of an emergency situation.

outcomes: This four hour training course will provide participants with the ability to deliver basic initial care and other assistance to survivors prior to the arrival of emergency responders, offer support and comfort to individuals harmed by the emergency, and convey information and collaborate with professional first responders. In the spring of 2014 the Becoming an Active Bystander training course was pilot tested by seven Medical Reserve Corps in Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee. Feedback was provided to help improve the content and focus for these types of trainings in the future.  

conclusions: This valuable training course is now available to teach non-medical volunteers and community members how to provide basic initial care to survivors in the immediate.