Unexploded WWII device found in West Midlands
Members of West Midlands St John
Ambulance were mobilised by Coventry City Council on 12 March to
support an evacuation of the city centre following the discovery of
a WWII unexploded bomb.
Working from rest shelters, volunteers provided general and
first aid support, as well as caring for a number
of vulnerable residents from a local care home.
Local units provided 20 volunteers over two shifts and an
emergency ambulance and crew. A further 15 volunteers were on
immediate stand by.
One (St John Ambulance) member was evacuated himself and the only possessions he took with him were his uniform, first aid kit and mobile phone, the latter to call me and ask where he was needed.
John Downey
Operations Officer, St John Ambulance Coventry
Volunteers were activated through emergency procedures used to
ensure St John Ambulance can respond to major emergencies, such as
this evacuation. Members were available and providing support
at rest centres within 15 minutes of the rest centres opening with
further volunteers working until 4am the following morning when
residents were allowed back into their homes.
The dedication of our members was demonstrated time and again by
the commitment they showed in caring for those evacuated from their
homes.' said John Downey, Operations officer in Coventry. 'One
member was evacuated himself and the only possessions he took with
him were his uniform, first aid
kit, and mobile phone, the latter to call
me and ask where he was needed’.
‘I am very grateful for the fantastic response received from the
members of St John Ambulance in Coventry to this incident,' he
said.
Glen Curry, West Midlands Emergency Planning Officer, said
'The extremely swift and effective response from our volunteers
demonstrates the valuable contribution St John Ambulance provides
to the community in times of emergency.'
Image courtesy of the Coventry
Telegraph