Boosting Community Resilience: Essential Skills for Emergency Response


02/22/2024


Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, has introduced crucial cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training to employees at eight of its Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) sites in Italy and the U.K. Thus far, more than 450 employees have undergone this training to enhance the chances of survival during cardiac arrest incidents in both countries.
 
In Italy, Baker Hughes initiated the training program in August 2023 across seven sites, including its primary facility in Florence. The program was executed by the company's Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) team in IET, supported by EMD112, an organization specializing in life-saving products and training. Over 320 colleagues have received comprehensive training, and 63 new defibrillators have been deployed across the seven sites. Notably, the number of defibrillators in Florence has surged from four to 35, surpassing local regulatory requirements.
 
In Europe, approximately 300,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually, with less than one in 10 individuals surviving. To help combat this issue, Baker Hughes' Leicester facility in the U.K. partnered with Heartwize, a local charity specializing in heart resuscitation training. Together, they have provided CPR and defibrillator training to 600 colleagues based in Leicester. To date, 145 employees have completed the training, including 24 Baker Hughes volunteers who will impart resuscitation skills training to a local college.
 
“Equipping our employees with the skills required to perform CPR and use a defibrillator not only reduces the risk of fatalities through a cardiac arrest at our sites, but it means colleagues can apply lifesaving skills to their loved ones and across their local communities,” said Saverio Gradassi, global HSE and sustainability director, Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. “As eliminating fatalities and permanent impairments is imperative for Baker Hughes, we are currently reviewing plans to extend our programs to other sites.”

Equipping staff with life-saving abilities and prioritizing safety and health investments play vital roles in fostering resilient and socially responsible communities. This fosters a culture where individuals take responsibility for well-being and are adept at responding effectively to emergencies across diverse environments.