Research and Education Policy

Policy Statement

The purpose of ARRO is to develop knowledge and skills in rescue and patient care.  To achieve this ARRO will undertake research and develop education material and systems to spread that knowledge and skill.

Definitions

• Technical Bulletin – an ARRO publication that provides information or describes a case study in relation to an aspect of road rescue.
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – issues raised by members, typically about challenges, to which the ARRO Technical Committee develops a best practice answer.
• Research and Education Officer (REO) – a portfolio of the Technical Committee allocated by the Executive to a member of the committee.

Context

The principle method of dissemination of educational material to ARRO members will be via technical bulletins, published on the ARRO web site and emailed to all financial members.  In addition, ARRO members will from time to time develop and deliver both skills and theory training presentations to assist in the learning process.

Where resources and time permit, ARRO members may also undertake research activities designed to explore relevant aspects of rescue.  Wherever such activities are undertaken, the results will be published and distributed in accordance with the requirements of the research.

• Technical bulletins; Workshops and Symposia; FAQs; and Discussion Forums.

These will be published on the ARRO web site and emailed to all financial members. In addition, ARRO members will from time to time develop and deliver both skills and theory training presentations to assist in the learning process.

Where resources and time permit, ARRO members may also undertake research activities designed to explore relevant aspects of rescue. Wherever such activities are undertaken, the results will be published and distributed in accordance with the requirements of the research.

Procedures

The following headings, down to and including ‘Responsibility’ set out how this ARRO policy will be implemented.

Technical Bulletin development and publication

Any member of ARRO may develop the content of a technical bulletin for publication to all members.  Any such document is to be forwarded in draft form to the REO for approval before publication.

The REO may use any number of other members of ARRO as an informal editorial board to comment on and confirm the validity of the content before publication.

All ARRO technical bulletins will be numbered and a register maintained by the REO.  They will also include details of the author and where additional information can be sourced.  Usual protocols for acknowledging sources of information will apply.

Technical bulletins may from time to time review certain techniques and pieces of equipment or vehicles on the road.  At no stage will ARRO technical bulletins criticise or endorse any equipment, techniques or vehicles.  They will always be factual, accurate and evidence based. All technical bulletins should be written in a format consistent with the ARRO style guide.

When Technical Bulletins are published on the ARRO web site, they together with any other supporting documentation should be emailed to all relevant ARRO members using the eNews system.

Community Safety information

From time to time ARRO may produce community safety information, usually in conjunction with a sponsor or partner. Any information of a technical nature should be appropriately acknowledged and be developed in conjunction with the Executive Officer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When ARRO receives an enquiry about best practice in rescue, either related to team participation in the challenge or on the road, the technical committee will develop a ‘best practice’ answer, which will be published on the ARRO web site for all teams and members to benefit from.

Responsibility

The REO is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and its regular review.

Associated Documents

• Style Guide and Document Control Policy » – This document sets out how ARRO documents will be laid out, fonts to use, page layout, headers and footers, use of ARRO and sponsor logos.

Record Keeping

All technical bulletins published by ARRO are to be retained. Only current subject matter will be available on the web site.

Warning – Uncontrolled when printed!

The current version of this document is kept on the ARRO web site.

• Authorised by: Research and Education Officer Original issue: 9 November 2008 Current version: 11 December 2019 Review no later than: 11 December 2021