On 2nd May 2023 the UK Government published the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyn’s Law, in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
Why do we need Martyn’s Law?
The threat from terrorism is continually evolving, with attempts being harder to spot and stop and attacks having a catastrophic impact on victims and their families.
According to The Home Office, there have been 15 terror attacks in the UK since 2017, with the deadliest being the Manchester Arena Attack on 22 May 2017. That evening, 22 people were killed and more than 800 suffered physical and psychological injuries. To make matters worse, the subsequent Inquiry published a catalogue of failings which included inadequate first aid training received by the Arena Medical Staff, meaning they lacked the "necessary clinical qualifications, skills and experience on duty" on the night of the attack.
Sadly, this may have contributed to the potentially avoidable deaths of two of the victims; John Atkinson and 8-year-old Saffie-Rose Roussos. During the Inquiry, it was highlighted that John Atkinson’s injuries could have been survivable "had he received the care and treatment he should have", and "In the case of Saffie-Rose Roussos, it is highly unlikely that she could have survived her injuries” but “there was a remote possibility she could have survived with different treatment and care."
The Manchester Inquiry made the following recommendations in June 2021:
Mandatory first aid training for staff of those under Protect Duty.
Protect Duty‑holders are required to ensure that employees are trained in first aid relevant to injuries which are particularly likely to occur during a terrorist attack.
Following the results of the Inquiry and campaigns led by the victims' families, it is clear big changes are needed to reduce the risk of public harm from terrorism by enforcing appropriate training.
Whilst the draft legislation does not specifically mention first aid requirements, Martyn’s Law will require certain venues to:
· Take steps to improve public safety, with measures dependent on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.
· Consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures.
· Ensure responsible persons are prepared, ready to respond and know what to do in the event of an attack.
· Deliver better protection through enhanced security systems, staff training, and clearer processes.
From a first aid point of view, all of this can be achieved with training and medical kit that is fit for purpose.
At last, it is time for the security industry to move away from courses that rely on disengaging PowerPoint presentations, instructors with limited experience, plastic CPR manikins and triangular bandages to achieve ‘compliance’.
What is ‘fit for purpose’ first aid training?
The security industry should have appropriate and necessary first aid training that:
· Focuses on managing wounds caused by bomb blasts, shootings and knife attacks.
· Teaches how to manage catastrophic bleeds using focused direct pressure, indirect pressure points and equipment such as arterial tourniquets and haemostatic gauze.
· Teaches how to improvise when medical kit is not readily available.
· Teaches how to manage airways using simple manual manoeuvres/positioning or adjuncts.
· Teaches mass casualty triage using the most up to date algorithms (Ten Second Triage Tool or NHS Major Incident Triage Tool (MITT) dependant on client need).
· Teaches a systematic approach to managing patients with traumatic injuries.
· Uses immersive, realistic and practical training techniques to maximise candidate bandwidth and confidence to deal with challenging incidents.
· Is delivered by credible instructors with vast pre-hospital experience, who still practice within the UK emergency services.
Recent FTACC Course for former SAS Who Dares Wins DS Ollie Ollerton
At Code Red Training, we pride ourselves on providing all the above through our bespoke immersive trauma courses. We deliver a 1-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course called First Aid Trauma and Casualty Care Emergency (FTACC-E) and 3-day First Aid at Work (FAW) courses called First Aid Trauma and Casualty Care (FTACC) and the more advanced Rescue Trauma and Casualty Care (RTACC). Furthermore, our Medical Lead Steph is a Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Paramedic who specialises in trauma and mass casualty response and has 9 years qualified pre-hospital experience. We have written more about how our courses meet Security Industry Authority (SIA) First Aid requirements and compare with FREC/FPOS here.
Code Red Training empowers candidates to be competent and confident in delivering life-saving interventions under stressful conditions to make a difference. Learn more about our range of courses here.
What is ‘fit for purpose’ medical kit?
Appropriate medical kits are another essential component of Martyn’s Law and MERE Supplies believe these should include advanced equipment such as tourniquets and chest seals along with more generic first aid supplies such as bandages, gauze, and antiseptic wipes.
MERE Supplies have written about the importance of suitable haemorrhage control equipment being available in the event of an emergency or terrorist attack and sell an excellent range of bleed control and first aid kits here.
Interested? Enter CodeRed on check out for a free gift too.
Where will Martyn’s Law apply?
The Legislation will apply to premises which are accessible to the public, are used primarily for a purpose listed in the Bill (e.g. for entertainment and leisure, retail, food and drink, museums and galleries, sports grounds, public areas of local and central Government buildings, visitor attractions, places of worship, health, and education establishments) and have a public capacity greater than 100 individuals.
The Bill will also make provisions for events (e.g. festivals) which have a public capacity of 800 or more individuals, and where access to the event is by express permission (i.e. payment or ticketed entry).
When will Martyn’s Law be introduced?
The Government will introduce the draft Bill to the House, following the completion of the scrutiny process, and as soon as parliamentary time allows.
Once established, Martyn’s Law will ensure better protection against the continued and evolving threat that the UK faces from terrorism and provide improved support, guidance and training to help embed best practice and drive-up standards across the UK.
Watch this space!
What can I do now?
Knowledge is power. The current UK threat level from terrorism is SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is LIKELY. Protect yourself and others by learning how to control massive external bleeds by applying effective direct pressure with your hands, utilising arterial tourniquets, applying pressure dressings, packing wounds and more by watching our free training videos available here or by accessing our YouTube Channel.
Want to know more?
Get in touch with us by emailing info@coderedtraining.co.uk to discuss your trauma training needs!