Merlin First Aid Services Limited was set up in November of 2006 to provide training, advice and event support to companies, organisations and groups in the South Wales area. This new company took over from Merlin First Aid Services that was run as an occasional partnership between a couple of first aid trainers and ambulance staff. Although based in Carmarthen, we have worked all across South and Mid Wales, as well as parts of South West and Central England.

The Operational and Training Departments:

Jan Evans (Director and Training Coordinator): Holder of a current Emergency Medical Technician Certificate. Holder of a current First Aid at Work Trainers Certificate. Trained as a teacher. Has been qualified in First Aid since 8 years old. Jan brings a wealth of experience to the company through her experiences in First Aid and Youth Work.

Robert Umney (Operations and Events Coordinator): Qualified Teacher. Did six years with a South Wales Civilian Mountain Rescue Team. Held a Mountain Rescue Council of England and Wales Casualty Care Certificate from April 1999 until March 2005. Holder of a First Aid at Work Trainers Certificate. At present trained as an Emergency Medical Technician by a Private Ambulance Service. Has been qualified in First Aid/Ambulance Aid since 1989, and actively involved in First Aid between 1998 and 2004 in a Mountain Rescue environment. Now a member of a Coastguard Cliff and Search Rescue Team in West Wales.

Peter Bissell (Secretary): Ex Royal Air Force Combat Medical Technician. Formerly an Emergency Medical Technician working with Great Western Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Bristol Area BASICS. Worked as a combat medical technician with the Royal Air Force for 18 of his 22 years of service. Did tours with Search and Rescue Helicopter Flights in UK and abroad totalling 18 years service. Also worked on in operational theatres including two tours of the Middle East within 9 weeks of each other. Peter brings a lot of specialist medical and rescue experience to the company.

Although Peter had retired from full time active service, he is still a reserve medic and frequently gets called for advice to serving operational medics in theatre.

Operations Staff: Our operational staff are all qualified at a level from First Aid at work upwards. Even our youngest First Aiders have worked events and been allowed to develop their skills and experience under the supervision of a senior member of staff.

Our staff are trained and expected to maintain the highest standards and to follow the guidance set out by the Health Professions Council for standards of conduct for Paramedics no matter what level of grade they are. We have a range of staff from the NHS, Ministry of Defence, Civilian Rescue teams and the Voluntary Agencies.

During 2010, all operational staff are going to be completing additional specialist training provided by BASICs (the British Association of Immediate Care) to at least national level one. This will give them additional trauma skills they can then use as part of their professional development and during company work.

Who do we work with?:

We work with youth services, companies, organisations, members of the NHS Ambulance Services and various rescue services in the UK and anyone who needs us.