Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
More lifesaving kits will be available in county
A lifesaving kit bag scheme is due to be rolled out across Kent. It comes as a volunteer police officer received a national award for coming up with the idea. Special Inspector Jonathan Townsend is a full-time doctor who has been volunteering with Kent Police for three years. He has been recognised by the College of Policing for his work developing Emergency Trauma Packs (ETPS) which have already saved lives in Kent. ETPS are large bags containing more than £500 of lifesaving equipment such as dressings, bandages, a stretcher, a resuscitation shield, thermal blankets and haemorrhage kits.
The ETPS are designed to be used in medical emergencies such as a stabbing, terrorist attack or a road traffic accident. It means staff at venues, including pubs, can begin lifesaving actions until emergency services arrive.
They have been on trial in Maidstone and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott is now distributing 500 more kit bags across the county. The locations have yet to be announced. Special inspector Townsend from Maidstone said: “I am really humbled to have received this award and it highlights all the hard work put in by the Emergency Trauma Pack team. “It is a great privilege for me to be supported by the Special Constabulary.
“It is also reassuring for the public to know Kent Police will do all it can to minimise the impact of injuries when officers attend incidents.”
Superintendent Jason Wenlock at Kent Police said: “I am delighted that Special Inspector Townsend’s hard work has been recognised.
“The trauma packs are a great idea that will really help our officers and members of the public to save a life.”