Medic First Aid is a registered trademark of MEDIC FIRST AID International, Inc. (MFA). They are an independent corporation and are not associated with the American Heart Association. Their Home offices are located in Eugene, Oregon. The courses that are available through MFA are marketed to private businesses, large corporations, and school districts through out the country. Now, it has been offered to GWRRA.
Headquarters of GWRRA in Phoenix, Az. reviewed these MFA programs and they were impressed with them. So much they contacted MFA headquarters and reached an agreement to use these MEDIC FIRST AID programs as an alternative to taking other CPR training. This training was to be made available to all members of GWRRA and at an affordable price
MEDIC FIRST AID BASIC – This is a First Aid and CPR course. Usually 6 – 7 hours in length.
These are just 2 of the courses that are taught throughout America. GWRRA uses these 2 classes on a regular basis for their members.
In order to take the “Care Initiator” course, you must have previously taken the MFA Basic training course or have previously taken CPR-First Aid courses from other organizations, American Red Cross, American Heart or other GWRRA approved organizations.
As part of the Region – E Staff, we are responsible for administering the MFA training PROGRAM IN Region-E. I have written a policies and procedures document that addresses some of the following: How to schedule a class; Location of class; How many to be taught. Fee for the Basic 6.0 class is $20.00
The scheduling of a class by the Chapter Educator must go through their District Educator, which in turn contacts the Region MFA Coordinator (which is a must). If a chapter for some reason has no Chapter Educator, then the Chapter Director can do the scheduling through the coordinator.
The District Educators should have a copy of the Region-E MFA Policies and Procedures to help guide them in properly scheduling a class. Along with the District Educators, all facilitators should have copies. The District Director will contact the Coordinator to schedule the class, if there is no District Educator.
1 or 2 facilitators, depending on the size of the class, usually teach this course. Must have a minimum of 6 members signed up to take the class. We do not lecture, we instruct. The classroom atmosphere is very relaxed. You are there to learn CPR – First Aid and will know it when you leave. Majority of the class is “hands on” learning. As facilitators, we explain how to perform CPR/First Aid along with a good video that deals with real life scenarios. The student watches the video, and then the facilitators demonstrate or discuss with the members any questions and then need be, the student will do hands on. With this MFA Class, there is no pressure. Remembering sequences, the SET UP and such, the facilitators will work with you and you will know the material when you leave the classroom. We will work with you diligently so that the administration of CPR and First Aid will come easily for you. This will be done by repeated practice, so by the end of the class, all the steps will come to you because of repetition. You will spend more time doing than sitting.
I hope that this has explained what MFA is. It’s pretty easy, but very important if ever needed. This class is a lot of fun to take, very inexpensive, but above all, very beneficial. How many in you Chapter know CPR – First Aid? How about a small group riding to a rally? I would hope that I wasn’t the only one that knew CPR-First Aid in the group, AND being the one that needed it. Learn MFA-First Aid through GWRRA by taking the MFA class.
The certification is good for 2 years and helps you in your Levels program. If you have any questions or comments, contact your Chapter or District Educators. You may contact me at regione-mfa@sbcglobal.net or call (847) 826-4107
Region-E MFA Coordinators