Life-saving Bleed Prevention Kits to be in every Essex fire station in PFCC-backed partnership initiative
Life-saving Bleed Prevention Kits will now be installed at every Essex fire station following new funding to complete a countywide roll-out already helping communities across Essex.
The next stage of the programme was at Ingatestone Fire Station, where campaigner Julie Taylor, founder of The Liam Taylor Legacy, joined partners, including Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, as another kit was installed.
Twenty-five Bleed Prevention Kits are already in place at Essex fire stations, an initiative delivered in partnership between Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Essex County Council, The Liam Taylor Legacy and Maldon Building Services.
A £15,000 grant from Essex County Council will fund a further 25 kits, ensuring every Essex fire station will be equipped with publicly-accessible bleed control equipment once installation is complete. Bleed kits have also been installed in other locations across Essex thanks to support from the PFCC.
The kits are designed to help control catastrophic bleeding in the vital minutes before emergency services arrive.
Each kit contains specialist trauma equipment including advanced dressings, chest seals and a tourniquet, alongside protective and resuscitation equipment.
In an emergency, members of the public can access a kit by calling 999, where Control Room operators provide guidance on retrieval and use.
Julie Taylor, Founder of The Liam Taylor Legacy, said:
“From the beginning, the aim of The Liam Taylor Legacy has been clear — to make sure people have the chance to help save a life in those first critical moments after a serious injury.
“Every additional Bleed Prevention Kit placed in a community is another opportunity to prevent tragedy. Seeing this initiative expand so that every Essex fire station will have a kit in place means Liam’s legacy will continue helping to protect others.
“This has only been possible because partners across Essex have come together with a shared determination to protect communities and give people the confidence and equipment to act when it matters most.
“I am incredibly proud to work alongside the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex County Council, and I thank them for their continued support as we work together to make Essex safer.”
Roger Hirst MBE, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said:
“We have long worked in partnership with Julie Taylor, whose determination and commitment continue to make a real difference to communities across Essex. Her work through The Liam Taylor Legacy has helped turn personal tragedy into practical action that will save lives.
“There can never be any complacency when it comes to knife crime. The impact on communities, families and loved ones where knife-related crimes have claimed victims is long-lasting. That is why beating knife crime is one of my central priorities.
“Our collaborative work with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex County Council and our partners to expand this programme will now see Bleed Prevention Kits available at every Essex fire station.
“Fire stations are trusted community assets at the heart of our cities, towns and villages. By placing this life-saving equipment in accessible locations and supporting members of the public to act in an emergency, we are strengthening our collective ability to keep Essex communities safe and secure.”
Joining Roger Hirst MBE and Julie Taylor at the unveiling were Maldon Building Services team, Watch Manager Ben Whateley-Harris, Julie Taylor’s grand daughter Olivia, Councillor Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, Crew Manager Chris Hurrell and Karl Edwards, Director of Digital and Infrastructure at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.