A young child’s life was saved during a sports day at St George’s School in Wrotham, thanks to the quick actions of an off-duty firefighter. Ian, an on-call firefighter with Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), was nearby working as a builder when he was alerted to the emergency via the GoodSam app, which notifies trained first responders of nearby cardiac arrests.
Ian, who is based at Borough Green Fire Station, dropped everything and rushed to the school within seconds.
Rapid Response Saves a Life
The child had collapsed and was found without a pulse and not breathing. Ian immediately began performing CPR, using the life-saving skills he had learned as part of his firefighter training.
“The skills I’ve developed as an on-call firefighter mean I’m confident to jump into action, fast, and help people in times of need,” Ian said.
A parent who was an off-duty paramedic also joined the effort, along with school staff and guidance from medical professionals over the phone. A defibrillator was brought to the scene, but thanks to Ian’s swift CPR, the child began to show signs of recovery before it was needed.
“After a few rounds of CPR, the child gripped my hand,” Ian recounted. “At first, I thought it was just a muscular contraction, but to my delight, they gripped it again. We got a faint pulse.”
The child was then taken to the hospital by ambulance and made a full recovery, returning to school just days later.
https:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwIj6Ap6xZA
A Community Effort
Elizabeth, the headteacher of St George’s Primary School, praised Ian’s calm and professional response, saying:
“When the young child collapsed, my teachers were fantastic and followed all the procedures. But when Ian arrived, you could feel the reassurance of someone with first responder experience stepping in.”
Following the incident, the school’s staff attended a CPR and defibrillator refresher session at Kent Fire and Rescue Service to enhance their life-saving skills.
“It’s important that everyone keeps up to date with basic first aid training,” Elizabeth added. “It doesn’t happen often, but it’s good to stay prepared.”
A Personal Mission
For Ian, teaching CPR is more than just a professional duty—it’s personal.
“My best friend passed away at 21 from a cardiac arrest. At that time, there were no defibrillators nearby, and no one knew CPR. That’s why I’m passionate about teaching others these simple but essential skills.”
KFRS hosts regular CPR and defibrillator training sessions throughout the year, encouraging local residents to attend and learn how to save lives.
How to Learn Life-Saving Skills
Ian urges everyone across Kent and Medway to book a session with their local firefighters.
“The more people who know these simple life-saving skills, the more lives we can save.”
For more information or to book a training session, visit the Kent Fire and Rescue Service website.
This incredible story highlights the importance of CPR and defibrillator training and the life-changing impact of a quick response in a medical emergency.
