The Kids First Aid Story

How We Went From 10-Person 'At Home' Courses To 18,062+ Attendees In Six Years

Ben Fisher, Jen Douneen, Katie Fisher

We're passionate about providing parents and carers with the skills they need to respond in the event that their child encounters a medical emergency.

Kids First Aid was launched in 2007, by two sisters, Jen Douneen and Katie Fisher, and husband Ben Fisher.

Today, all of our presenters Australia-wide are trained and experienced paramedics. However, our story starts with just two - Ben and Katie Fisher.

The inspiration to launch Kids First Aid didn't happen overnight. Katie and Ben are both Intensive Care Paramedics. Over their combined 30yrs+ experience, they have attended countless emergencies which have involved children. Unfortunately numerous emergency situations they have attended, many children have failed to receive basic first aid treatment during the crucial first few minutes of an emergency.

Too often parents don't have the basic first aid knowledge to help their children. Instead, they watch and wait (often in a state of panic) for help to arrive. Seeing so many parents left helpless hit home hard for Ben and Katie, who have three children themselves.

Enter Jen Douneen, with years of experience in the marketing and advertising industry and with a rich career in community and child-focused initiatives plus also a mum of three. As a Director of Kids First Aid, Jen brought the skills Ben and Katie needed to reach parents and carers Australia-wide.

The format is simple. A one-off, 3 hour session, identifying the 10 most common emergency situations that Paramedics see, that involve children. The Kids FIRST Aid team continue to believe in the strength that Paramedics are the experts in emergency care and by integrating their own experiences, makes the session interesting, relevant, memorable & entertaining (words never previously used to describe first aid!!).

Initially Kids First Aid Paramedics would visit the homes of parents with groups of ten or more.

Today, we have a team of Kids FIRST Aid Paramedics/Presenters nationally and host regular “Open” sessions that anyone can book and attend. In addition we tailor make sessions for corporate organisations and present at their location.

The Kids First Aid team was fortunate to be recognised for their contribution to the safety of Aussie kids and has been featured in the media. Including: Kochie's Business Builders, Kerry Ann Morning Show, Sunday Life Magazine, Men's Health, 2UE, John Laws Show, Bambino Magazine, 3AW Melbourne, Northern Star, Rivertown Times and That's Life Magazine.

As years have passed, the courses have been continually updated in line with first aid protocol. The response to Kids First Aid has far exceeded Katie, Jenny and Ben's wildest expectations. Plus also received hundreds of incredible testimonials from parents who have used the skills they had learnt from our sessions. Kids First Aid now provides engaging, informative and valuable presentations across the country at a location near you.

To date, over 18,000+ parents, grandparents, friends and carer's have attended a Kids First Aid course. There are now over twenty presenters (all trained paramedics) operating Australia-wide whom we are very grateful for the amazing work they do every day.

Thank you for the overwhelming response and helping our contribution to the health and safety of Aussie children become a reality.

Katie Fisher ~ Paramedic/Director

• Paramedic/Ambulance Officer - Current
• Diploma Health Science
• Diploma Paramedical Science
• Registered Nurse
• Breast Feeding Counsellor
• First Aid Trainer
• Kids FIRST Aid Presenter
• Mother of 3 children

Jen Douneen ~ Director

• Advertising, marketing and sales (Australia, Europe and UK) 20years+.
• Management Committee of a community based childcare centre in Sydney for 6 years. (Kelly's Place Children's Centre)
• Kelly's Place Children's Centre ~ President (2006)
• Mother of 3 children

Ben Fisher ~ Paramedic/Director

• Intensive Care Paramedic ~ Current
• Helicopter Rescue Crew
• Bachelor of Health Science
• Senior First Aid Accredited (TAA) Trainer
• Clinical mentor/Trainer for Ambulance Service
• Certificate IV in workplace training & assessment
• Kids First Aid Presenter
• Father of 3 kids