A total of 100 life-saving bleed control kits have been installed across Herefordshire, giving communities access to vital equipment in the event of a serious emergency.
The project is the result of a partnership between Herefordshire Freemasons and Arrive Alive Charity, with distribution carried out by Community First Responders across the county.
The kits have been placed in accessible locations to ensure they can be quickly reached if someone suffers a severe bleed. Each one contains essential equipment, including tourniquets and trauma dressings, designed to help control bleeding in the critical moments before emergency services arrive.
Arrive Alive Charity is the UK’s only registered charity of its kind supporting the ambulance service, and is dedicated to saving lives within communities. Funded solely by public donations, Arrive Alive provides voluntary operated 999 response vehicles and equipment for medically trained volunteers.
Between June 2024 and February 2026, Arrive Alive vehicles attended more than 6,000 life-threatening 999 calls, highlighting the vital role the charity plays in supporting frontline emergency response.
Funding for the initiative was provided by Herefordshire Freemasons, whose support has made it possible to deliver the kits into communities where they may be needed most.
Community First Responders have played a key role in the project, using their local knowledge to position the kits effectively. As volunteers who are often first on scene, they are well placed to support both the rollout and ongoing awareness within their communities.
A spokesperson for Arrive Alive Charity said:
“In a serious bleeding emergency, what happens in the first few minutes can be the difference between life and death. By making these kits available locally, we’re giving people the tools they need to step in and help.”
This initiative reflects a shared commitment to strengthening community safety and ensuring more people are equipped to act in an emergency.