Everybody needs good neighbours

Life-saving officers are true ‘modern day heroes’ after a Greater Manchester Police and Lancashire Constabulary officer perform life-saving CPR on their neighbour’s father whilst off duty.

Jenna Millward, an officer in GMP’s roads policing department, who transferred from Lancashire in December 2022 after 17 years, and Emma Millward, an officer from Lancashire took the term ‘when good neighbours become good friends’ to a new level when on a mid-May calm evening (Thursday 18 May 2023) things took a whole new turn when they saw their neighbour’s father suffer a cardiac at the end of the drive whilst taking out the bins.

Using their extensive and heightened police knowledge and training, as all frontline officers are basic first aid trained, they came to the rescue, delivered CPR in the crucial seconds that followed and called for an ambulance.

On Monday 31 July 2023, for their outstanding act they both received a commendation from the GMP Chief Constable for their heroic actions that saved the life of a colleague from the policing family as it transpired he was a former GMP officer himself.

Jenna & Emma Millward

After other neighbours witnessed their quick actions, it was made aware their decision making ultimately meant a happy ending after he fell first sustaining an open wound to the side of his head.

Not only did they perform CPR, they knew a defibrillator was nearby at a local garage. So after signalling to a passer-by, were able to hook up the pads and use the verbal instructions before the ambulance arrived 10 minutes later.

On their recognition, Jenna said; “It was a very quick incident where our natural instincts took over from our training as officers. It was the right thing to do after we heard a loud bang from our window and a man was collapsed on the road. We’re both just really pleased he’s made a full recovery as life is so precious so he can continue to share moments with his loved ones.

“To be recognised by your force is a really special moment and it was extremely heart-warming to share the experience and award with David, the person we saved who has been so thankful since. Having done CPR countless times in our career the paramedics were very impressed with the standard of CPR that he had received prior to their arrival which gives us immense pride.

“As officers we just want to protect the public and like any good neighbours should want to do as well, look out for each other. We can’t stress the importance of more people taking the time to understand and learn the basics of CPR or life-saving techniques and where their local defibrillator is to help in the immediate aftermath of an incident before more qualified professionals or the emergency services can get there, it is literally the difference between life and death.

“A charity ‘Restart the Heart’ is run by a lady called Sarah who tirelessly campaigns to get more public defibs. It is because of her that we have that defib so close to our home. Without that, I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that David would not be with us despite our actions.”

Their actions and to have a public defibrillator less than 200m from their street meant from starting CPR to getting the defib on and delivering the first shock was just over four minutes.

Jenna Millward, David Bell & Emma Millward

On the nomination, the neighbour who put them forward said; “The two officers appeared like lightning from nowhere and immediately took control of the situation. They gave him immediate CPR and alternated compressions on a one-minute cycle. The teamwork just seemed to kick in as events unfolded around them.

“When the ambulance crew arrived, the officers were concise and informative in terms of the actions carried out and reciting the crucial timeline. As the casualty was admitted to the ambulance, things looked bleak until the paramedic said he had just started to breathe unaided. The paramedic made a special note of complimenting the officers, saying that they had more than likely saved his life with their quick thinking, bravery and calm teamworking. Without question, those two officers saved a life that night and there was absolutely nothing routine about it. They are real life heroines, and I’m sure the casualty and his distraught daughter, who witnessed it all from the end of her drive, will be eternally grateful.

“It’s all too easy to criticise the police for the slightest of things in this modern digital world, but the night of Thursday 18 May showed just how good those two officers are. They are a credit to the respective police area forces. Whilst I’m just a neighbour who doesn’t really know the officers other than to say hello to them from time to time, I am really proud of them and the fact that they live in our close. They are modern day heroes – and they even did this in their pyjamas and slippers!”

David spent several days in hospital and made enough progress two weeks later to be discharged and is certainly well on the road to recovery. He was also in attendance this week as part of the special event to acknowledge the efforts of both Jenna and Emma.