Running a First Aid Back Office Protocol

This protocol describes how to run a Back Office for a team of First Aiders at a protest or demonstration.

At protests and demonstrations First Aiders, like protesters, often carry burner phones instead of smartphones. This plus an often noisy and fast-paced environment can mean it is difficult for First Aiders to communicate with each other.

A First Aid Back Office is a person or group of people who do behind-the-scenes coordination and act as a communication point for First Aiders on the ground. Their role includes:

• Taking calls from buddy pairs of First Aiders when they log on and off.
• Taking hourly general update calls from buddy pairs of First Aiders.
• Taking calls from First Aiders about serious injuries or important updates and communicating these to other First Aiders as appropriate.
• Passing on relevant information between buddy pairs of First Aiders, eg. requests for more First Aiders in a specific location.
• Communicating with the Legal Back Office as appropriate and passing on any relevant information, eg:
  • Arrests
  • Police tactics such as kettling or use of batons
  • Locations of Legal Observers
  • Taking calls from members of the public who are at the protest and:
  • Communicating any relevant information to buddy pairs of First Aiders
  • ONLY if trained First Aiders, giving simple First Aid and wellbeing advice

First Aid Back Offices are run off site (at a specified location) or remotely (everyone from wherever they are living).

When to run a First Aid Back Office

You should run a First Aid Back Office when buddy pairs of First Aiders are planning to cover a protest or demonstration which is likely to be:

• Attended by a large number of protesters
• Spread out geographically (such as a large march, or a protest with several different sites)
• Spread out across a period of time
• Busy, crowded or chaotic
• Any other situation which would mean that it is difficult for First Aiders on the group to communicate directly with each other

Equipment you need to run a First Aid Back Office

• A burner phone with a number that can be shared publicly, with a divert tree set up with everyone who is part of the First Aid Back Office.
  • NB. A divert tree is a system whereby people can call one number and it diverts to the phone of whoever is on shift to be answering. A guide to one way to do this is here.
• Computers with internet and word processing access.
• A room in which to run the First Aid Back Office from (eg. at a community centre) if it is being run off-site (it can be helpful to have this as the same location as the Legal Back Office), OR a Signal chat with everyone who is involved if it is being run remotely.
• Snacks and hydration’’’, and some entertainment (eg. something to read) for quiet periods.

What to do before running a First Aid Back Office

1. Put a call-out for First Aiders into the relevant city protest First Aid dispatch chat.
2. Make a Signal group with everyone who is planning to First Aid and use this to work out buddies and shifts.
3. Make a separate Signal chat for people planning to run the First Aid Back Office and use this to work out shifts.
4. Remind First Aiders of the purpose of the First Aid Back office, and remind them to call in to:
   • Log on and off
   • Give general updates on their location and the atmosphere of the protest every hour or so
   • Pass on messages to other First Aid buddy pairs or request information from them
   • Report serious injuries, changes in police tactics and anything else that is important to pass on to other First Aiders.
5. Contact the Legal Back Office for the protest (if not known, call the Protest Support Line at 07946 541 511 to get in touch), join their Signal group and plan to run the two Back Offices from the same location (if running off-site).
6. Do any necessary admin or logistical work, such as booking a room and ensuring all First Aiders have the relevant kit.
7. Make a poll to organise a debrief for First Aiders.
8. A few days before the protest, share the First Aid Back Office number on the QueerCare Twitter and Instagram pages.

How to run a First Aid Back Office

1. Prepare to record calls:
   • Make sure you are clear on who all the First Aiders on the ground are and what numbers they are using.
   • If running the First Aid Back Office offsite, make a spreadsheet using this template (download the template as a .xlsx file - do not use Google) and store it securely. Keep this spreadsheet open on one computer - when someone takes a call, they should enter it into this.
   • If running the First Aid Back Office remotely, make a Riseup Pad using the template in the Appendix of this protocol and share the link in the Signal Chat. When someone takes a call, they should enter it into this.
2. Take calls:
   • Take calls and enter them into the timeline or Riseup Pad.
   • Make sure to follow through with follow-up from calls, such as calling other First Aid buddy pairs to pass on information.
   • If running the First Aid Back Office remotely, share the most important updates or any questions in the Signal chat.
   • Keep in good communication with the Legal Back Office, because police actions that require Legal Observers (such as use of force) also often require First Aiders.
   • If relevant, monitor social media and news sites for other updates.
3. Take breaks:
   • If the protest is busy and/or long, you must make sure you build in time for everyone running the First Aid Back Office to have sufficient breaks, including sleep.
4. Finish the timeline:
   • If running the First Aid Back Office remotely, when the protest has ended, copy all the recorded calls on the Riseup Pad into a spreadsheet using this template (download the template as a .xlsx file - do not use Google) and store the finished timeline securely (in case you need to access it later).
   • If running the First Aid Back Office off-site, simply store the finished timeline securely (in case you need to access it later).

What to do after running a First Aid Back Office

• You must run a debrief after a protest (or series of protests, if more appropriate in your context).
  • You must debrief with both those involved in the First Aid Back Office and those involved as First Aiders on the ground.
  • If there were multiple people involved in the First Aid Back Office, you can run a debrief just for Back Office before debriefing with the First Aiders.
  • You can run a joint debrief with the Legal Back Office if this feels appropriate.
• You should ‘’’claim expenses’’’ for any costs incurred through running the First Aid Back Office.

Appendix 1: Template for Riseup Pad

If running the First Aid Back Office remotely, copy and paste this template into the Riseup Pad.

Copy and paste the following at the top of the Riseup Pad:

[DATE OF DEMO] [NAME OF DEMO]

First Aiders:

[FIRST AIDER NAME] [NUMBER THEY ARE USING] - Active/inactive [delete as appropriate for FAders on shift and off shift]

Back Office: [BACK OFFICE-R NAME]

Copy and paste the following lots of times and then fill it out as calls are taken:

Time:

Caller name:

Caller number:

Caller role:

Call taken by (initials):

Type of record:

Location:

Summary:

Details:

Follow-up:

Follow-up completed by (initials):

Example:

Time: 1734

Caller name: Emma Goldman

Caller number: 07131 200 000

Caller role: FA

Call taken by (initials): AB

Type of record: Call

Location: St Peter’s Square

Summary: Backup needed

Details: EG is the only FAder in the square as her buddy had to leave. Police have charged causing several injuries. Can another buddy pair come to the square.

Follow-up: Contact CD & EF & ask them to move to St Peter’s Square.

Follow-up completed by (initials): GH