Firefighter’s BSL skills make critical difference for deaf accident victim
By Jill Dando News
A deaf lady who was involved in a road traffic accident has paid tribute to the firefighter who used his recently acquired British Sign Language skills to look after her.
June Carol Lush described Ben Middleton as ‘a huge comfort’ after he was called to the scene of the incident on the A6 in Ambergate, after his colleagues recognised they had a communication issue.
Ben, who was among 10 firefighters to complete a BSL course at Derby’s Royal School for the Deaf, was able to look after June until her daughter arrived and accompanied her to hospital.
The historic school on Ashbourne Road has been campaigning for better training for emergency service crews after a member of staff had to be told over FaceTime that her husband had died when none of the paramedics could communicate with her.
June said:
“I’m incredibly grateful that Ben was there when I needed him most, he was truly fantastic.
“Being in such severe pain, it was a huge comfort to have someone I could communicate with and who could offer support.
“I was terrified and thought I wouldn’t survive, so I turned to God for help, and then Ben arrived to assist me.”
June and Ben were reunited at the school when the firefighters commenced the second stage of their BSL training, which also includes lessons on deaf culture.
Ben said:
“I am just so pleased that I could help June in an unfortunate circumstance like that, and I surprised myself with how much I could communicate with her.
“We stumbled at the sign for a breathalyser, but we managed to get around it by using the sign for wine and then I acted out the action and she understood.
“I’ve been attending my BSL lessons at Royal School for the Deaf for two hours every Tuesday morning for 36 weeks, so it’s not a huge time commitment but the results are invaluable. I am grateful for the school and DFRS for supporting us being able to learn this new skill.
“I encourage anybody, not just those in the services, to learn this skill. We live in a society with deaf people so they should have the same access as everybody else.
“However, I do think that it should be mandatory for those in the forces, especially in Derby as we have a huge deaf community.”
Pupils from the school were invited to present the 10 participants with certificates for their completion of their BSL Level One qualification.
Clive Stanbrook, area manager at Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said:
“When firefighters respond to a road traffic accident, adrenaline often takes over.
“I’m incredibly impressed with how Ben remained calm under pressure and used his skills so effectively.
“He had only completed the Level One qualification just weeks before, so it goes to show how valuable it is to teach these front-facing staff those important skills.”
Head teacher at the school, Paul Burrows said:
“Sign language is a vital means of communication and it is priceless for our emergency services to be able to speak with the deaf community, so we are delighted to have set up this collaboration.
“The importance of this training goes beyond emergency services, and we encourage anyone in the community who is interested to take part in our courses.”
