Last updated at 17:00, Monday, 20 August 2012

A PROJECT to teach life-saving skills to the public has put Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service in the running for a top award.

The service has been shortlisted for the Public Sector Organisation of the Year prize at the Heart Safe UK awards in Manchester next month.

The aim is to celebrate outstanding public sector organisations that invest in life-saving equipment and training to provide a “Heart Safe environment” for their employees and communities.

For more than 10 years Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has taught basic life support to members of the public, businesses, voluntary and community organisations, schools, youth groups, women’s institutes and young farmers clubs. In 2011 alone the service taught 1,500 people in the county basic life support and around 5,000 have been trained over the past five years.

The training is delivered by firefighters, staff and volunteers across the length and breadth of Cumbria.

Cumbria’s firefighters are also trained in life support and trauma and undertake a five-day course in immediate emergency care.

All Cumbria’s fire engines carry defibrillators and there are plans to ensure the county’s fire stations also host them for the benefit of the community.

In 2011, the service was awarded the Olympic Inspire Mark for its FireFit programme. Councillor Gary Strong, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for community safety and local services, said: “Being nominated for a prestigious national award is well deserved recognition for the excellent work Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service has undertaken in teaching life-saving skills to thousands of people around the county. Providing immediate first aid can dramatically improve a casualty’s chance of survival and in a large, rural area like Cumbria where it can take emergency services longer to arrive, these skills are even more important.”

Three other organisations, including the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, are in the running for the Heart Safe award. The winner will be announced on September 20.

First published at 16:11, Monday, 20 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk