Introduction by Ian Kershaw MBE
Since first being involved in the First Aid Industry in 1996 I felt that it needed to change and move forward in terms of monitoring systems and consistency of standards and I felt, the only way for this to happen was to work very closely with the Training Organisations. This is something that I have always strived to achieve in the past and will continue to do so with the FOFATO. The job I began some 15 years ago (to create a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, to raise First Aid standards and consequently raise the profile of the First Aid Industry) is far from complete.
As a consequence of the many issues that remained unresolved I was asked by HSE Approved First Aid Training Organisations to form an Organisation that is DEMOCRATIC, has a POWERFUL VOICE, offers HIGH STANDARDS of Training and can bring the Industry together in order to achieve its FULL and TRUE POTENTIAL.
My KNOWLEDGE and EXPERTISE within the First Aid Industry means that I am able to guide Training Organisations in the right direction in order the achieve the required results.
Key Objectives of FOFATO
- To Create a Powerful Voice across the First Aid Industry
- To enable FOFATO to openly discuss issues within the First Aid Industry with HSE as well as other interested parties.
- To Promote High Standards of First Aid Training amongst its Members
- Ensuring high standards of First Aid training amongst its Members by ensuring they are working (as a minimum) to HSE standards.
- Projecting Federation Members to Potential Clients and Customers
- By ensuring high standards of First Aid training we are able to confirm the credibility of our Members to current or potential Clients and Customers.
- To Increase Trade and Business for Federation Members
- By marketing Employers across the United Kingdom we aim to increase the market share of our Members.
Key Benefits of FOFATO
- Recognised as a Main Consultative Body by the Health and Safety Executive.
- Following correspondence with HSE in September 2007 the Federation is now recognised as a Main Consultative Body in relation to First Aid issues.
- Recognised as the ONLY truly Independent Body within the First Aid Industry.
- FOFATO IS NOT and WILL NOT seek HSE Approval and therefore do not have any Conflict of Interest with the Training Organisations within the First Aid Industry.
- Providing immediate support on First Aid and Health and Safety related issues.
- Daily support by telephone is provided to any Federation member on a First Aid and Health and Safety related issues. (This is vital now that you are unable to contact the First Aid Approval and Monitoring Section of HSE by telephone).
- Providing Work for our Members.
- We advertise vacancies for Trainers and Assessors and Training requirements from Employers are circulated amongst our Members.
- Provide the latest up to date information within the First Aid Industry.
- The General Information and News area of the website as well as quarterly Newsletters will provide easy to understand updates in relation to issues in the First Aid Training Industry.
- Giving Recognition and Credibility to our Members.
- All our Members are thoroughly vetted before they appear on our Website.
- Provide Member discounts on all products in First Aid and Health and Safety.
- Excellent Member discounts with be provided to a variety of First Aid and Health and Safety Related products.