FIA & IFRC come together for cooperation on post-crash care

On World Red Cross Red Crescent Day (8 May 2014), a new partnership with an initial focus on strengthening cooperation on post-crash care was agreed between the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). FIA President Jean Todt (pictured centre) was hosted by the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Tadateru Konoé (pictured right), and CEO of the Global Road Safety Partnership, Pieter Venter (pictured left), at the IFRC headquarters in Geneva for the official signing of the agreement.

Improving post-crash care is the fifth pillar of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Increased responsiveness to post-crash emergencies and the ability of health and other systems to provide appropriate emergency treatment and longer term rehabilitation for crash victims, is an essential part of the road safety strategy outlined for the decade which aims to reduce the 1.3 million fatalities and 50 million serious injuries which occur on the world’s roads every year.

Through this important agreement, GRSP will have the unique opportunity to team the reach of the IFRC’s 189 national societies with the FIA’s 236 national motoring and sporting organizations with a view to disseminating the road safety message to the many, many millions of people they represent and reach each day.

Further within the scope of the agreement, to mark the occasion of World First Aid day, taking place on 13 September 2014, the FIA and the IFRC will promote joint initiatives during that month with their member clubs and national partners worldwide aimed at:

• raising awareness on the importance of first aid knowledge in order that victims of road accidents receive immediate care;
• organising first aid ‘snack’ training courses in public areas to increase the knowledge among all drivers;
• creating first aid materials and documentation to be used in FIA clubs’ driving schools.

FIA President Jean Todt said during the meeting: “I am delighted we have reached this agreement with the IFRC, an organization which shares our values and also our commitment to safer roads. Post-crash care is a key element of any effective road safety strategy. We can benefit greatly from the expertise and network of outstanding Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, while also helping to further increase public understanding of First Aid through our automobile clubs worldwide.”

In addition to first aid oriented activities, the FIA and the IFRC will promote joint initiatives on child safety, in support of the Third UN Global Road Safety Week which will take place 4-10 May 2015.