Meet our team

Get to know our small, but dedicated team...

Sam Counsell

Sam Counsell

Director & Trainer

With over five years of experience as a whole-time Firefighter, Sam developed a passion for trauma and casualty care. Having been through too many uninspiring, tick-box first aid courses, he founded Frontline First Aid to provide engaging, practical training that makes high-quality education accessible to both organisations and individuals.

Doug Lishman

Doug Lishman

Mental Health First Aid Trainer

Doug has recently retired after being in the Fire Service for almost 30 years. Now delivering Mental Health First Aid Courses - Doug is a wealth of knowledge, with decades of hands on, frontline experience. Doug's extensive background within the Fire Service, combined with his passion for supporting mental wellbeing, makes him a valuable asset to our organisation.

Hattie Burkett

Hattie Burkett

EFAW Trainer

Hattie qualified as a paramedic (BSc) at the University Of Worcester in 2020 and shortly after joined the South West Ambulance Service. Today she works for Yorkshire Ambulance service where she continues her Frontline Career. She is now a valued part of the Frontline First Aid team conducting EFAW and BLS Courses.

Darren Smith

Darren Smith

FAW Trainer

Alongside his role at Frontline First Aid, Darren has clocked up 19 years of Frontline experience within the Fire Service, and is currently working for Lancashire Fire & Rescue. Darren has been a Trauma care instructor in his wholetime role for the past 3 years, bringing valuable insight to the 3 Day Course.

About Us

Tired of the same old tick-box first aid courses? You know the type, endless PowerPoint slides, monotone instructors - disengaging & ultimately, boring…

So were we.

That’s why Frontline First Aid exists: to deliver engaging, practical, and real-world first aid training that genuinely prepares people to act in an emergency.

Our Venue

We’re now proud to have our own dedicated training premises in the centre of Lancaster at Riverway House, giving us the ability to offer open courses with individual spaces available to book - perfect for freelancers, small businesses, parents, carers, or anyone wanting to learn lifesaving skills without needing to organise a private group session.

Our space inaccessible for wheelchair users - free parking - Kitchen access with microwave - space for up to 12 learners - plenty of natural light.

Why We Do It

Too often, emergency services arrive at incidents where no lifesaving intervention has been attempted.

Not because people don’t care, but because they don’t know what to do, or they lack the confidence to step in.

That’s what we want to change.

Our mission is simple: to help people become as confident and capable as possible, so that if the worst happens to a loved one, a colleague, or even a stranger - they won’t freeze.

Meet the Team

We’re a team of experienced frontline emergency service professionals who are passionate about sharing lifesaving knowledge in a way that’s interactive, relevant, and memorable. Our courses are designed to build confidence as well as competence, giving people the skills they need to step forward when it matters most.

Meet Sam - Lead Trainer

“I’ve been a full-time firefighter for over five years, and during that time I’ve developed a real passion for first aid and emergency care.

Early on in my career, I found the responsibility intimidating. Using first aid equipment in high-pressure situations, and never knowing exactly what we’d face on a callout. But that challenge pushed me to improve my skills, grow my confidence, and eventually begin training others.

For 3 years prior to starting Frontline First Aid, I delivered HeartStart sessions to members of the public, helping people gain the confidence to respond in an emergency. Now through Frontline First Aid, I provide more in-depth training designed to make first aid approachable, practical, and empowering.”

Charity & Community Rates

If you’re a charity or public interest organisation, we offer discounted charity rates.

Please get in touch before booking and we’ll make sure you’re looked after.

30+
Combined Years experience
1000+
Happy customers