Firefighter at heart of the community written by
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue 1497372547
on the 13
th June 2017 at 17:49
- Posted in Fire Blog
Firefighter Carl Bell has spearheaded a campaign to install two potentially lifesaving defibrillators in Chopwell and Blackhall Mill.
Carl, who was born and raised in Chopwell, has been a firefighter for 24 years. In November 2016 he began to raise money for a public access defibrillator, hoping to attach it to Chopwell Fire station ensuring it was accessible to the entire village.
Using social media, Carl gauged public opinion asking for assistance, the response was overwhelming and donations flooded in.
In December 2016, the village held its annual Christmas parade, organised by the crew from Chopwell Fire Station, it saw Santa Claus himself, riding on a fire engine giving sweets to children and taking donations towards the defibrillator.
By February this year Carl was able to approach a local charity asking if they could assist with the purchase of the defibrillator and security box. The charity 'Northeast Hearts with Goals' helped with the purchase of the units and registering them with the ambulance service.
Carl, said: "I see our local fire station as a focal point of the community and when I had the idea to raise the money for the defibrillator it seemed like the perfect location.
"The response from the people of Chopwell and the help I have received from the agencies involved has been amazing and I'd like to thank each and every person who made this possible."
"Once the defibrillator was in place I looked at how best to inform the public take away the fear of actually using it. So I organised a CPR/ Defibrillator Familiarisation evening at the local community centre and asked the ambulance service to attend, the evening was a huge success with more people turning up that I ever could have imagined."
Carl did not stop there; in March he approached the Derwent Freemasons Lodge asking for donations for a second defibrillator, this time for the neighbouring village Blackhall Mill. The Freemasons were happy to donate the full amount needed to pay for the unit and Carl was presented with a cheque for £1,300
At the beginning of May the second unit was purchased and installed onto the outside of Blackhall Community Centre and another successful training evening was held at the end of May.
Group Manager, Dave Leach, added: "This is a great achievement by Carl and the entire crew at Chopwell for raising the funds to provide the community with invaluable, lifesaving equipment.
"I'm sure their actions are greatly appreciated by the local residents and I'd also like to extend thanks on behalf of the fire service to the other agencies and charities involved."
