In 2002, the Dublin Fire Brigade and RCSI forged a unique partnership aimed at advancing paramedic education. Now, 23 years later, with a recent conferring ceremony of over 70 students, this collaboration has produced more than 700 qualified graduates.
The programme stands as a beacon in Europe, offering a dual qualification that equips participants to serve both as members of the Dublin Fire Brigade and as certified paramedics.
This educational model directly contributes to the fourth United Nations Sustainability Goal (UNSDG) – Quality Education– by providing learners with access to expert paramedic educators, immersive simulations, and real-world ride-along experiences.
This hands-on, integrated approach ensures graduates are not only technically proficient but also empathetic and responsive in high-pressure situations, fostering a generation of healthcare professionals who are both competent and compassionate.
Communication and empathy
Beyond education, the impact of this initiative is deeply felt in the community, contributing meaningfully to the third UNSDG – Good Health and Well-being – and the 11th goal – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
In 2024 alone, paramedics responded to over 80,000 medical calls, offering emergency care and critical first response services. They are at the frontline of providing urgent care and are at the very centre of the pre-hospital experience for patients, who they often encounter in vulnerable circumstances. For that reason, their training emphasises not only clinical skills but also the importance of communication, empathy, and ethical decision-making.
The data from 2024 underscores the programme’s real-world impact:
- 61,894 patients were treated and transported to hospitals by paramedics.
- 5,135 hospital pre-alerts by paramedics enabled faster, more coordinated critical care.
- 473 cardiac arrests were managed on-site, and 508 cases were sadly recognised as inappropriate for resuscitation due to evidence of death.
- 664 stroke patients received timely thrombolysis treatment.
- 136 patients who experienced a life-threatening heart attack following a complete blockage of their artery were transported to specialist facilities within 90 minutes of their ECG being performed by paramedics.
Partnership for sustainable development
This programme exemplifies how cross-sector partnerships in education and healthcare can deliver tangible outcomes that align with global sustainable development priorities, in particular UNSDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals– by ensuring well-trained first responders are ready to save lives, strengthen community health, and uphold human dignity in times of crisis.
RCSI is committed to achieving a better and more sustainable future through the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
