Posted: Monday 15 October 2018, 12:52
On Tuesday 16 October 2018, Firefighters from across Derbyshire will be supporting colleagues from East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS), Patient Care Technicians (PCTs) and Derbyshire police, at schools and colleges across the region, delivering life saving CPR training as part of the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) ‘Restart a Heart’ campaign.
World Restart a Heart Day is an annual initiative which aims to train as many people as possible in CPR in one day, so that more people know these life saving skills.
EMAS, who are coordinating the countywide initiative which aims to reach up to 2000 children and young people, on behalf of the BHF, approached Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service asking for support for the campaign.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Response Area Manager, Bob Curry said: “Anyone who suffers a heart attack in Derbyshire will require the immediate assistance of people trained in CPR. It’s therefore not hard to understand why we wanted to be involved in the campaign and are now working with our fellow emergency service colleagues to support CPR training and help increase the chances of survival from a heart attack.
“Firefighters will be working in 18 schools, supporting children and young people as they learn an essential life skill – CPR. After initial introductions, a DVD will be shown, then each pupil will have ten minutes to practice CPR on manikins. Our firefighters will be assisting with this practice, providing help and encouragement all the way.”
Mick Barnett-Connolly, Head of Community Response and Collaboration at EMAS said: “If someone suffers a cardiac arrest their chances of survival increase considerably if it happens in front of someone who starts CPR immediately.
“This year is a real partnership effort across the East Midlands and together we are growing the network of lifesavers by equipping these students with skills they will remember for life.”
Wholetime and On-Call Firefighters, from the following stations, are taking part in the campaign: Alfreton, Ashbourne, Bakewell, Bolsover, Buxton, Chesterfield, Clay-Cross, Clowne, Dronfield, Duffield, Kingsway, Matlock, Nottingham Road, Ripley and Staveley.
Firefighters will remain on-standby to attend emergency incidents during the sessions.
For more information about the Restart a Heart Campaign visit the BHF website, Restart a Heart Day 2018.