Witham Fire Station gets lifesaving Bleed Control Kit in ongoing campaign supported by PFCC
Witham Fire Station has been equipped with a publicly accessible bleed control kit, giving both firefighters and members of the public the vital tools needed to provide lifesaving care in an emergency.
The kits, championed by leading Essex campaigner Julie Taylor and long-supported by the PFCC Essex, have now been installed at several fire stations across the county as part of ongoing work to tackle knife crime and improve community safety.
Julie founded The Liam Taylor Legacy in honour of her grandson, Liam, who was tragically killed in Writtle in 2020.
Determined to save lives in Liam’s name, Julie pursued the idea of bleed kits, which contain trauma dressings, chest seals, bandages, a tourniquet, gloves, scissors, a foil blanket, and a mouthguard for CPR.
These tools allow firefighters and members of the public to treat serious injuries and prevent victims from going into hypovolemic shock or dying from blood loss.
In an emergency, members of the public can access it by calling 999, where Control Room Operators will provide guidance on how to retrieve and use it.
The kit at Witham has been installed in partnership with Chelmsford Lions Club and forms part of a wider community-led effort supported by the PFCC Essex, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) and Essex Police.
Representatives from the Lions Club, joined Witham MP Dame Priti Patel, Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Roger Hirst, Louise McKinlay, Deputy Leader of Essex County Council, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Chris Else and Witham firefighters joined Julie at Witham Fire Station for a short photo call to mark the installation and highlight the continued community effort behind the project.
Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “These kits save lives. Every installation strengthens our collective effort to tackle knife crime and serious violence in our county.
“Julie’s campaigning has changed our county for the better, and this partnership at Witham Fire Station is another powerful example of communities working together to keep people safe.”
Julie Taylor added: "I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, the Lions Club, and everyone who has supported Liam’s legacy.
“I’m incredibly proud to continue working with ECFRS to bring bleed kits into more communities. Together, we can save lives, prevent tragedy, and build a safer Essex for everyone.”
Chris Else, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We are proud to support Julie Taylor and The Liam Taylor Legacy in making lifesaving bleed control kits available across Essex.
“Having a kit at Witham Fire Station means our crews - and importantly, the public - have access to vital equipment that can make the difference between life and death in those first critical minutes.
“Julie’s strength and determination to honour Liam’s memory by protecting others is truly inspiring, and this work shows the incredible impact communities can make when they come together.”