Burnham Fire Station has been equipped with a public access bleed prevention kit, ensuring both firefighters and members of the public have the vital tools needed to provide life-saving care in an emergency.

The kits, championed by leading Essex campaigner Julie Taylor, have now been installed at 24 fire stations across the county.

Julie founded The Liam Taylor Legacy in memory of her grandson, Liam, who was tragically killed in Writtle in 2020. 

Determined to save lives in his 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

The kit at Burnham has been funded by local construction specialists, Maldon Building Services. 

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.

Karl Edwards, Director of Digital and Infrastructure at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS), said: “We are proud to support Julie Taylor and The Liam Taylor Legacy in making lifesaving bleed control kits available across our county. 

“Having a kit at Burnham Fire Station means that our crews, and indeed the public, have access to vital equipment that could save lives in those critical first moments of an emergency. 

“Julie’s determination to honour Liam’s memory by helping others is truly inspiring, and this initiative is a powerful example of what can be achieved when families, communities, local businesses, and emergency services come together with a shared commitment to protecting the people of Essex.”

Julie Taylor added: “I’d like to say a big thank you to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Maldon Building Services for honouring Liam’s legacy, and all the others that were taken too soon. 

“I am incredibly proud to be working with ECFRS. By working together, we can stop knife and violent crime and create a safer Essex.”

Ian Freshwater, Managing Director of Maldon Building Services, said: “At Maldon Building Services we are proud to help bring bleed control kits into communities across Essex. 

“Working alongside Julie Taylor and all those driving this initiative has been inspiring. 

“It really shows what can be achieved when businesses and communities come together with a shared sense of responsibility. Having a kit now in place at Burnham Fire Station – as well as many others across the county – means vital equipment is close at hand when it’s needed most, until professional help arrives.

“We’re proud to contribute to a project that makes a genuine difference to safety across Essex.”

Watch Manager Ben Whateley-Harris, from ECFRS’ prevention team, was on hand at Burnham Fire Station to thank Maldon Building Services for their continued support of the roll-out of bleed control kits in Essex.