Introduction: Firefighting in Slovenia as we know it today has been present since 1869. At first, the duty of firefighters was mainly fire extinguishing, but the range of their work gradually extended. Nowadays, firefighters know how to provide first medical aid and they completed the course of care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol (International Trauma Life Support). According to ITLS, care must be provided quickly and systematically. As both professional and volunteer firefighters provide care to the injured according to the ITLS protocol, we conducted a survey in which professional and volunteer firefighters showed their theoretical and practical knowledge on the care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol. Aim: The aim of our diploma work is to assess the knowledge of professional and volunteer firefighters on the care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol, compare the results of both groups and, based on the obtained results, suggest eventual changes in the education of firefighters regarding first aid. Methods: The diploma work is based on the descriptive method. The introduction presents the theoretical starting points on the tasks of firefighters and the ITLS protocol. To assess the theoretical knowledge on the care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol, we drew up a written examination. The practical part of the research encompassed the performance of the primary ITLS check of an injured, and the firefighters were assessed using the Slovenian version of the assessment form of care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol. Results: Professional firefighters obtained 93 % success in the theoretical part and volunteer firefighters 94 % success. A higher level of knowledge in the practical part was shown by professional firefighters who achieved 63 % success, whereas volunteer firefighters obtained 59 % success on average. The overall average of the obtained points in the theoretical and practical part of the research by professional firefighters was 78 % and by volunteer firefighters 76.5 %. Discussion and conclusion: In relation to the obtained results, we can conclude that both professional and volunteer firefighters showed a high level of knowledge on the care of an injured according to the ITLS protocol. The small difference between the groups is probably the result of a different work approach. Professional firefighters have more experience from real-life interventions, whereas volunteer firefighters have more training, thus being better educated. Based on the obtained results, we can conclude that firefighters actively practice their skills and update their knowledge, but there is certainly space for improvement. To obtain even better results, professional and volunteer firefighters should more often join forces in the same exercise, sharing advice and experience as well as improving each other's knowledge.
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