FD Deputy Team Manager Saves Police Officer's Life

Citizen’s Commendation for Lifesaving First Aid by North Manchester deputy team manager

This week, Joe Dunning, a Deputy Team Manager at one of our houses in Higher Blackley, received the Citizen’s Commendation award for Lifesaving First Aid from Greater Manchester Police. He was presented with his award by Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson QPM at GMP’s Hough End Complex in Chorlton-cum-Hardy.

Joe gave first aid to a Police Officer, who was seriously assaulted in the line of duty. Whilst DJing at his local pub, some customers were removed by door staff, due to fighting. He heard a group of girls gasp in shock, after saying they saw a police officer being injured. Later, Joe looked up and saw a body lying in the middle of the road.

With his Nursing Associate Training, he recognised that the officer was choking on her blood. Joe said, “I rushed out to check that she was okay, on my arrival the police officer was unresponsive and bleeding heavily from the nose and mouth. I immediately began giving first aid and ensuring her airway was clear.”

Within a few minutes, police backup came. Joe stated he was a Registered Nurse Associate, so he treated the injured police officer with assistance from her fellow colleagues at Greater Manchester Police. When the paramedics came, Joe handed over her care, assisted her onto a spinal board and into the back of the ambulance.

A week after the incident, Joe received a letter from GMP thanking him for helping the officer. She is now back at work after making a full recovery. In December, Joe found he was shortlisted for a Citizen’s Commendation award. He said he was shocked and surprised to be recognised for his bravery. With Joe’s Nursing Associate Training, he did what he thought came “second nature”.