Braintree on-call firefighters commended for life saving actions

Two firefighters from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have received commendations for their live saving actions.

Claire Speed and Paul Brazier, on-call firefighters from Braintree Fire Station have been awarded Chief Fire Officer commendations after helping to resuscitate a collapsed resident.

After installing two new smoke alarms for a resident at a Home Fire Safety Visit, Claire and Paul were getting ready to leave when they were approached by a distressed member of the public asking them for help.

Both firefighters immediately followed the lady to the house across the road, where they found a resident who had collapsed and was visibly in a lot of pain.

Without hesitation, Claire and Paul began gathering as much information as they could and feeding this back to the paramedics over the phone.

Paul said: “Suddenly, the resident began losing all consciousness and neither of us could feel a pulse.”

Springing into action Paul began administering CPR whilst Claire remained on the phone to the paramedics.

Paul said: “Fortunately it wasn’t long, and the paramedics arrived who told us to continue whilst setting up their equipment. Claire assisted them with the breathing and CPR.

“The paramedics did a brilliant job and after a while she was stable and breathing again.”

The pair then helped put the resident into a stretcher and into the ambulance.

Claire said: “We were told that without our quick actions of giving her CPR, this could have been a very different outcome. We just put into practice what we've been taught in training and made the vital decisions until the paramedics arrived.”

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive Rick Hylton said: "I am very honoured to be presenting this award as the actions of Claire and Paul were truly extraordinary.

“They provided vital lifesaving medical treatment at a critical time. Their actions saved this lady’s life that day and we are very proud of you both.”