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9-1-1 Heroes Honored by West Metro Fire Rescue
Denver (CO) – Knowing how to recognize a true emergency and how to call 911 to summon help isn’t as easy as most people think. When emotions are running high, most people’s brains freeze up, making it difficult for them to remain calm and relay vital information to dispatchers. Seven young people who were able to keep their cool in an emergency and who called 9-1-1 for help were honored by West Metro Fire Rescue at a special ceremony recently and inducted into the West Metro Fire Rescue 911 HERO Club. Those young people include: Nicholas Raia; Kalie Brunswick; Tyler Herr; Teresa “Pebbles” Aleman; Jared Fulton; Megan Anderson; and Savannah Lensink. 051807
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Little Girl’s 9-1-1 Call Saves Dad
Camden (NJ) – A 5-year-old little girl from Camden was practicing how to call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency when all of a sudden practice turned into the real thing. 051707 Check out audio recording of call
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5-Year-Old Boy Calls 9-1-1 After Mom Suffers Seizure
Jacksonville (FL) — When Caleb Weeks’ mother began having seizures last month, he did exactly what he was taught and called 9-1-1. 051607 Check out audio recording of call.
Quick-thinking boy saves mom’s life
Sanford (FL) – A 9-year-old Seminole County boy is being credited for saving his mother’s life after he called 9-1-1 when she was in need of medical attention. Alex Swee called 9-1-1 on May 4 after his mother, Stephanie Scalfari, 39, passed out, according to authorities. Scalfari has a history of heart problems, officials said. A Seminole County Public Safety Emergency Communications dispatcher guided Alex for 15 minutes while he helped his mother. 051607
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Wise County 9-1-1 dispatcher helps dad save choking child
Wise (TN) – At the bright-eyed, rambunctious age of 4, Maggie Dean could charm the socks off a crabby old curmudgeon, but there are no crabby old curmudgeons on the Wise County Board of Supervisors.All eight supervisors were thoroughly charmed by Maggie at their meeting recently. She was there because the county’s 911 Emergency Dispatch Center was being recognized, and a dispatcher had helped save her life. A state official paid special state honors to Billie Jo Laney, a Wise Cunty dispatcher for just nine months who proved to be Maggie’s guardian angel on March 30. 051207
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City dials up honours for young 9-1-1 heroes
Ottawa CAN – Mohamad Wehbeh knew exactly what to do when his mother collapsed in their home last year — call 9-1-1. Wehbeh, 6, was among nine young heroes honoured at City Hall recently for their courage when faced with a difficult and perilous situation. 051207
Going by the book: 4-year-old calls 9-1-1, stays calm after mother falls ill
Fairbanks (AK) – Deidre Savarino was wandering the toy aisle, as grandmothers do, at a St. Louis store when she came across a book with a bright red cover and a telephone dial pad. “It’s Time to Call 911: What to do in an Emergency” seemed like the perfect read for Savarino’s grandson, Tony, an inquisitive 3-year-old whose mother suffers from asthma. Savarino bought the book and mailed it to her grandson, who is now 4 and lives in North Pole. The book turned out to be an auspicious buy because Tony knew just how to react when his mother collapsed on the living room floor April 10 and blacked out. 042907 (Web site includes audio of 4-year-old’s call)
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Father Credits 7-Year-Old Daughter With Saving His Life
Columbus (OH) — A Columbus man who slipped into a seizure is alive today, all thanks to his 7-year-old daughter. “She (Taylor March) jumped into action and took control of the action,” David March said. Taylor’s parents taught her the importance of dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency and that’s exactly what she did recently. 042507
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A 9-Year Old 9-1-1 Hero
Northglenn CO – On Tuesday, April 24th a special award was given to a 9-year-old Northglenn resident. Courtney Babcock called 9-1-1 and followed the instructions of the dispatcher without panicking. She assisted the dispatcher in providing additional medical information. 042407
Pa. 9-1-1 dispatchers hailed as life savers
Dauphin County (PA) – Kelly Koons never met the man who kept her baby alive. She never even knew his name. But his reassuring voice on the other end of the phone helped save Koons’ “miracle baby” from an almost certain death at her Elizabethville home last May, Koons said. Emergency dispatcher Marshall Mirarchi talked Koons’ sister-in-law Angela Koons through assisting with the birth of Kylee Ann Koons, and then he talked her through unwrapping the umbilical cord from around the newborn’s neck. Mirarchi and four coworkers from the Dauphin County 911 center recently were honored for talking mothers through childbirth. Receiving stork pins during a recent county commissioners meeting were Mirarchi, Mark Mattern, Craig Powers, Brian Wertz and Cindy Williams. 050207
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Boy Takes Charge Calling 9-1-1 to Help Younger Brother
Walnut Ridge (AR) – The quick thinking of an eight-year-old boy helps save the life of his younger brother. 0407
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Baby by telephone? 9-1-1 gets the call – Dispatcher talks family through birth
Toms River (NJ) – Logan Bailey Duffy was the first baby that Carol Sasso ever delivered — over the phone. As an Ocean County 9-1-1 dispatcher, Sasso is trained to give specific instructions in the event she receives a call involving someone giving birth. 042107
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CA 9-1-1 dispatcher hailed for supporting his own
California – For Kevin Willet, who spent 10 years answering 9-1-1 calls for the Redwood City Police Department, imagination is not necessary. In his experience as a dispatcher, he fielded all of these calls. After six years running 911 CARES, Willet was formally recognized in Washington, D.C., at a 400-guest banquet recently. The event was held by the E9-1-1 Institute, which supports the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus designed to improve the national 9-1-1 system. 031607
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3-year-old saves mother with a call to 9-1-1
Wabash (IN) – We’re all familiar with tales of how, in ordinary life, everything goes wrong that can go wrong. Here’s a sunnier tale of how everything, even the improbable, went right. A mother took precautions. A child listened. A dispatcher coaxed the needed information. Police and EMTs responded as trained. 030807
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Forsyth Young Heroes Honored by Governor Perdue
Georgia – Governor Sonny Perdue proclaimed 9-1-1 Day in Georgia, honoring 9-1-1 professionals and 15 young 9-1-1 heroes from around the state at a ceremony at the State Capitol. The annual ceremony recognizes the dedication and commitment of approximately 2,500 professionals who operate local and regional 9-1-1 centers throughout Georgia. 030807
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Dispatcher and Daughter 9-1-1 Heroes
Okaloosa County (FL) – E9-1-1 Institute Honors Okaloosa County emergency operators and a six-year-old girl for their actions in saving the life of the girl’s mother. Nina Anne Hawkins, a certified Emergency Medical and Emergency Fire Dispatcher for Okaloosa County Department of Public Safety, and Kaela O’Neill will be presented with a “Citizen In Action” award, given by the Institute to honor someone who demonstrates exceptional bravery and heroism to save a life in a critical time using 9-1-1. 030807
7-year old Honored for Saving Mom’s Life with 9-1-1 Call
Los Angeles County (CA) – Seven-year-old Marilyn Cabrera was alone with her 18-month-old brother when her mom suffered a serious paralytic attack and needed immediate medical assistance early this year. She was scared and wasn’t sure of what to do while her mother lay on the floor, unable to breathe, move or speak. That’s when Marilyn gathered her strength, picked up the phone and called 9-1-1 for help. That call saved her mother’s life, and for her bravery Marilyn was honored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department during a morning assembly at Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary School in Canyon Country recently. 022407
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Pier 11-year old girl honored with 9-1-1 award
Narragansett (RI) – Not all children can remain calm and take the appropriate action when their parents or grandparents are having a medical emergency, but 11-year-old Alicia Perry, a Narragansett resident, did just that. Recently, Perry was honored at the central 9-1-1 emergency call center in North Providence for a phone call she placed earlier this year that saved her grandfather’s life. 022307
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Second-Grader Honored for Phoning 9-1-1
Orange (TX) – Orange City Council presented Ja’ Meiya Roberts a certificate of appreciation recently for calling 9-1-1. What is noteworthy is that she is only 8 years old. When her mother, Tomeka Forward, began having a grand mal seizure and lost consciousness, the second-grader calmly went to the phone and dialed 9-1-1, just like she was taught in school. 021307 And a special Everyday Heroes thank you to many, many school teachers for their role in 9-1-1 education for youngsters.
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Boy A Hero after Calling 9-1-1 for His Mom
Hamilton (OH) – When it was all over, his brothers were safe and his mother home from the hospital, all 9-year-old Brodie Hamblin could think to say about his act of bravery was, “luckily, I am a light sleeper.” 021207
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Toddler Calls 9-1-1 for Grandmother
North Port (FL) – Three-year-old Gabriel Martell knows as much about 9-1-1 as he does SpongeBob SquarePants and his new yellow dirt bike. Armed with that know-how, the boy was prepared recently to pick up the phone and dial those three digits when his grandmother desperately needed help and no one else was around to provide it. 021007
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7-year-old Boy Earns Award for 9-1-1 Call
Minneapolis (MN) – After his father collapsed, 7-year-old Zac Fustgaard raced through the house searching for the portable phone, finally finding it in his parents’ bedroom, and called 9-1-1. He was recently honored by the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, with its annual 9-1-1 Hero Award. 020807
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Defibrillator Detection: 9-1-1 callers told nearby AED location
Ottawa County (MI) – As of recently, when someone calls Ottawa County 9-1-1 to report a heart attack or someone going into cardiac arrest, the dispatcher can tell the caller if there is an automated external defibrillator (AED) in the building or facility from which the person is calling. 013107 We salute the local authorities who made that decision.
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9-1-1 Dispatcher Helps Deliver a Baby
San Lorenzo Valley (CA) – Three weeks after Collin Joseph Reed was brought into this world, he is a healthy baby who enjoys sleeping and spending time with his family. Unlike most babies, Collin was not born in a hospital, or met with smiles from a nurse or midwife. Instead, he was ushered out of the womb by the voice of a 9-1-1 dispatcher and his parents. Ben Saunders, lead dispatcher at the Santa Cruz Consolidated Emergency Communications Center, has been a 9-1-1 dispatcher for 24 years but said he had never talked a family through a delivery. Saunders, like all 9-1-1 dispatchers, was taught how to talk people through child birth, said operations supervisor Dennis Kidd. 012907
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Alaskan Chapter Honors Telecommunicator Group (5)
Alaska – Five telecommunicators recently received the NENA Alaska Chapter’s 1st Quarter 2007 9-1-1 Professional Award. They included, from MATCom in Wasilla, Gail Campbell, Kathleen Thompson and Trish Robinson and, from 9-G-Base in Palmer, Diana Campbell and Alana Anderson. Read the details of their coordinated, professional and highly efficient handling of a specific call which resulted in them being nominated as a group by their two agencies’ managers. Well done. And while you are at the chapter’s web site, click on the 9-1-1 Professional link at the bottom of page – and you will find a 2006 Life Saving Award – congratulations to the chapter for its ongoing recognition program.
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Four-Year-Old Calls 9-1-1 and Saves Grandma’s Life
Nassau County (FL) – Four-year-old Jaman Lucas is being commended for not only being calm and informative and speaking clearly to 9-1-1 dispatchers, but knowing how to pick up the phone and dial 9-1-1 in the first place. 012307
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9-1-1 operators trained in medical aid
Johnson County (IA) – Dispatchers at the Johnson County Sheriff’s office are now trained and equipped to provide emergency medical assistance to callers, Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek announced recently. 011607 Congratulations to those locally who continue to take this course of action – hopefully, more will continue to step forward
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Dispatcher’s job is hectic, demanding and rewarding
Texarkana (TX) – We all know what to do when there is an emergency: Dial 9-1-1 and help will come. Nut usually, little thought is given to the voices calmly gathering information and facilitating help for citizens experiencing a crisis.011507 Great to see such recognition stories in local news media & it serves as an excellent (and free) help wanted ad.
3-Year-Old Saves Mom’s Life by Calling 9-1-1
West Jordan (UT) – A 3-year-old girl from West Jordan is being hailed a hero for calling 9-1-1 to get medical help for her mother recently. The girl says she was scared and she knew her mom needed an ambulance. “I just pushed the buttons.” said Chehala Moore. 120606 And click here for another link to a video interview with Chehala, who did much more than push the buttons.
Milford Girl, 9, Recognized as 9-1-1 Hero
Milford (ME) – Kylie Tibbetts made her first phone call to 9-1-1 as a prank when she was 4. Since then, she has learned that the emergency service is just that – a service meant only for emergencies. Last month, the 9-year-old made another phone call to 9-1-1, but this one was for real. ..For her ability to stay cool, calm and collected while calling 9-1-1, Kylie was recognized recently by the Penobscot Regional Communications Center and Milford Fire Department. “She was awesome,” PRCC dispatch supervisor Betty Kilby-Stone said. “She stayed calm, spoke clearly, and stayed on the phone.” 120606
Santa 9-1-1 is coming to Susanville
Susanville (CA) – Santa’s personal visit to Susanville recently is part of Santa 9-1-1 — a fund-raiser organized by public safety officers designed to spread Christmas cheer among 10 needy families in the community who otherwise might not have a Christmas. 120506 Reminder to all – are you and your organizations helping out locally – and, please, do not forget the efforts of 9-1-1 Cares and their financial needs at this special time of the year.
7-year-old Rescues Sister with 9-1-1 Call
Marion (IN) – Khalil Boyd had just gotten off the bus from Southeast Elementary School and walked home Tuesday afternoon with one thing on his mind: an afternoon snack of grapes. Minutes later, he was calling 9-1-1 for his sister, 22-year-old Chandra Boyd, who had passed out in the kitchen, feet away from Khalil. 120306
Saving Mom’s Life Via 9-1-1
Sarasota (FL) – On a chilly November morning in the heart of rural Dickson, Tenn. 8-year-old Robert E. Lee IV was startled awake in the pre-dawn hours before school. It was a scary sound he’d heard before. His mother, Tonya, was convulsing in a diabetic seizure. 120206 *This is a recount of a story we already covered, recognizing Robert E. Lee IV as one of our heroes. However, interesting in this account are the additional details about when to use 9-1-1 and how, with special suggestions from our own Christy Williams, NENA Public Education Committee chair.
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Students Learn Importance of 9-1-1 Etiquette
Savannah (GA) – Savannah Adventist Christian Students from pre-k through 8th grade recently learned all about 9-1-1 safety and etiquette. The seminar focused on the importance of what is and what is not an emergency. 120106
9-year-old Honored as Hero
Keene (TX) – As his mother drove along U.S. 67 toward Cleburne, Jimmy Stevens, 9, noticed that she was swerving. Moments later, Latisha Stevens was unconscious. Jimmy knew what to do. But he had to act quickly. He jumped from the front passenger seat of his family’s Kia onto his mother’s lap and pulled the car to the side of the road and put it in park. Then, he dialed 9-1-1, just like he had been taught in class. 113006
Young Boy Recognized as Hero
Randolph County (NC) – 5-year-old Daniel Childers didn’t let his emotions get in the way when his mom needed help. When she passed out, he called 9-1-1. His composure earned the respect of dispatchers and fire fighters responding to the call. He was recently named a 9-1-1 hero at the Tabernacle Volunteer Fire Department. 112706
Lifesaving Award for Anchorage Police Department Dispatcher Adriel Grimshaw
Anchorage (AK) – On August 17, 2006 at approximately 22:00 hours, Comm Clerk II Adriel Grimshaw received a 9-1-1 call from a female who said she wanted to kill her boys. She went on to say she receives no support from their dad and that she had left a note. She hung up after saying we should come over and arrest her. Although dispatchers and calltakers are trained for situations such as these, this incident could easily have had a tragic ending had Adriel not remained calm, persistent, empathetic and determined to make sure the children were safe until officers arrived. 102806
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‘Hero’ cat apparently dials 9-1-1 to help owner
Columbus (OH) – Police aren’t sure how else to explain it. But when an officer walked into an apartment one night recently to answer a 9-1-1 call, an orange-and-tan striped cat was lying by a telephone on the living room floor. The cat’s owner, Gary Rosheisen, was on the floor near his bed having fallen out of his wheelchair. He’s my hero,” Rosheisen later said. 010206
5-Year-Old Calls 9-1-1 For Mom
Trinity (NC) – A local family is giving thanks for their five-year-old son. Daniel Childers called 9-1-1 recently when his mother passed out in the kitchen. 112306
Five-year-old recognized for dialing 9-1-1
Wellman (IA) – Telecommunicator Melanie Letts and Deputy Tom Ulin recently delivered a certificate of recognition to 5 yr. old Chazlee Patterson of Wellman. He was recognized for knowing how to dial 9-1-1 and for using it appropriately.112006
Emergency care emerges quickly
Hyderabad (India) – Call it controlled chaos. Drivers race down opposite lanes to pass slower traffic, and all forms of wheeled transportation jockey for advantage. It’s mayhem that’s especially hazardous in a country lacking a nationwide 9-1-1 emergency system. Bill McMurray advised leaders months before they started an emergency system (1-0-8) — and doubted they’d meet their ambitious goals. Within months the system was online. 112406
Emergency services head helps Indian city develop 9-1-1 system
Hyderabad (India) – Spend a day in a large city in India, and you’ll get an idea of how the number of people alone can influence a collective sense of priority. one of David Jones’ first experiences in Hyderabad, India’s fifth largest city and capital of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, proved that point heartily. 112006
Fayette 9-1-1 center called best in state
Fayette County (GA) – Fayette County’s 9-1-1 Communications Center has been named the 9-1-1 center of the year in Georgia by the state’s National Emergency Number Association. The center was honored for its employees’ excellent rapport with the public and excellent customer service. 111406
Boy, 5, calls 9-1-1, gets help for mom
Victorville (CA) – A woman suffered a seizure and was lying unconscious, face down on her living room floor — and her 6-month-old baby and her 5-year-old son were the only other people home. Luckily, the 5-year-old knew to call 9-1-1 and he remained on the phone until deputies and fire department officials arrived at the home recently, officials said. 111706
Boy saves mother’s life by calling 9-1-1
Dickson (TN) – When 8-year-old Robert E. Lee IV, noticed his mother wasn’t acting right early one morning before school recently he did what he’d been taught by his parents for the past four years to do: Call 9-1-1. Emergency officials say that call probably saved 28-year-old Tonya Lee’s life. And she agrees. 111706
Firefighters, Coyotes honor child for 9-1-1 call
Phoenix (AZ) – The Phoenix Fire Department and the Phoenix Coyotes joined 9-1-1 for Kids recently to honor 7-year-old Makena Washington of Phoenix. She is credited with dialing 9-1-1 when her diabetic mother had a seizure. 111606
Woman’s Call to 9-1-1 “Heroic”
Assyria Township (MI) – A Barry County woman is being praised for her vigilance; her sharp eye, intuition and call to 9-1-1 got police to a home where an armed man had broken in. 111606
6-Year-Old Hero Honored in El Cajon
El Cajon (CA) – A local kid hero was honored recently for helping to save his mother’s life. Six-year-old Kenny Hartaway called 9-1-1 after his mother passed out during a diabetic seizure. Kenny even took care of his three-year-old brother until help arrived. 102006
9-1-1 tape chronicles 7-year-old’s near-drowning in a bathtub
Tucson (AZ) – A Tucson family says their 7-year old is getting better after nearly drowning recently. Monday, 7-year old Celine Abril was found by her sister floating in her family bathtub. While her sister called 9-1-1, her stepdad started CPR. “Bree Bree’s the hero. She’s the one who found her and pulled her out. She called 9-1-1 and got the right people there at the right time.“ 101906
9-1-1 Dispatchers now able to locate people in distress
WAILUKU (HI) – The call came in the middle of the night, when a panicked visitor saw his friend’s car go off the road into a ditch. “He didn’t know where he was,” said Maui police 9-1-1 dispatcher Dyann Cabreros, who handled the emergency call from the visitor using a cellular telephone who had been following his friend. “All he knew was he was in Haiku somewhere.” 100806
9-1-1 – Students engineer software package for Carver County
Carver County (MN) – The Carver County Sheriff’s Department was in need of a system to map traffic stops, traffic accidents, burglaries, thefts, arsons and other 9-1-1 incidents throughout the county. Pete Henschel, GIS application and database manager for the county, wanted to be able to pinpoint “hot” 9-1-1 incident areas, times of day, etc., which can be useful in making staffing and coverage decisions. Nine students in a software engineering course taught by Professor Annette Schoenberger accepted the project along with a list of desired functions and five years of incident data on type of illegal activity, location, time of day/week/month and more. It took more than 1,200 hours, but students completed the assignment. 092806
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Boy Earns Award for 9-1-1 Call
RALEIGH (NC) – A 7-year-old Raleigh boy was honored recently for “knowing what to do” when he called the Raleigh-Wake County 9-1-1 Center to report that his mother was ill. 102406Weirton (WV) – 5-year-old Kahli Ovalles of Weirton was all smiles Tuesday night when she was given an award by Weirton city officials. Almost two months ago, she was quick to act when her aunt had a seizure and a mild heart attack. Cali remained calm the whole time and told 9-1-1 officials where they were and what was happening. It was this quick action that helped save her aunt’s life. 101006
Area girl credited with saving mom’s life with 9-1-1 phone call
Goderich, Ontario – Amanda Kuehl-Schaefer doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. The nine-year-old Holmesville Public student is being praised by her family, friends and the Huron OPP for her calm response to a recent family emergency. 092706
9-1-1 Dispatcher Helps Deliver Baby
WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A Westmoreland County 911 dispatcher had no idea what he was in for 20 minutes into his shift. Westmoreland Public Safety gave veteran dispatcher Bob Mayr a stork pin for his good work, talking a baby’s father through an unexpected home delivery and calming him until the ambulance arrived. 092506
Camp 9-1-1 important learning experience
Watseka (IL) – Iroquois County second- and third-graders are getting quite an education this month on emergency services. Camp 9-1-1, sponsored by the Iroquois County Emergency Telephone System Board, takes different emergency agencies to school children. 092206
9-1-1 operator earns FBI’s appreciation
Mesa (AZ) – A 17-year-old California girl called her family from a Mesa apartment this month claiming armed kidnappers were holding her against her will. She later changed her story, but a Mesa 9-1-1 operator’s response earned her a certificate of appreciation signed by FBI Director Robert Mueller. 091506
7-year-old dials 9-1-1 during armed robbery
Fort Myers (FL) – A seven-year-old girl recently called 9-1-1 after two gunmen broke into her home. The courage and smarts it takes for a seven-year-old to call 9-1-1 under those circumstances seems remarkable. But it can actually be more common if parents would sit their kids down and practice emergency situations. 091406
9-1-1 Dispatcher in Sunnyvale Helps Deliver Baby via Phone
Sunnyvale (CA) – A 9-1-1 dispatcher in the South Bay is being credited with helping to deliver a baby over the telephone. Josie Silva is a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the City of Sunnyvale. She takes dozens of calls every day but the one she received late in the afternoon on August 22, was a little different; a frantic father was asking for help delivering his wife’s baby. 090106 (Side note – our very first Everyday Hero recognition story back in March also involved such a delivery and this is our 4th such story since then – any out there that we have missed? These are great and should all be publicly recognized.)
Youngsters honoured on 9-1-1 Heroes Wall
Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) – Children who save a life or prevent a crime by using the 911 emergency services will be further rewarded by having their names included on the soon to be established Heroes Wall. Under-13-year-olds who perform these hero acts are being given a plaque, medal and media publicity by the 911 Emergency Communications Centre in the Cayman Islands, said Juliette Gooding is the Manager of the 911 Centre, which celebrates its tenth anniversary on 16 September 2006. 090106 (The numerous editorial staffers here at Everyday Heroes were drawing straws to see who was going on the road or better put, to sea, to verify this story and the other below, when the big boss stuck his head out his office door, first time in days we’ve seen him, and yells “No way, ain’t gonna happen.” Oh well, seriously folks, this is an excellent idea – what are you doing locally?
Unsung Heroes Press On
Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) – As residents in Grand Cayman prepare to mark the second anniversary of Hurricane Ivan’s destruction, 9-1-1 operators are the unsung heroes amongst emergency personnel. 082606
Faces Behind 9-1-1: Despite stress, interruptions and often tragedy, county dispatchers love their work
Cowlitz County (WA) – “Nine-one-one. What is your emergency?” The cool, unruffled voice belongs to Maurice Garrott, in her 21st year as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for Cowlitz County. Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, Cowlitz County Communications dispatchers handle an almost constant stream of calls ranging from the heart-wrenching to the ludicrous. “It’s my love,” says Melissa Thomas, a dispatcher for nearly 16 years. “You can come to work and every day is different. Where can you have such entertainment? It’s definitely one of those jobs that gets in your blood and you have a passion for it.” 082006
8-Year-Old Boy Calls 9-1-1, Saving Mom’s Life
Jacksonsville (FL) – Jared Tucker is your typical eight-year-old kid. He loves baseball. “What’s your favorite team?” he was asked. “The Boston,” said a somewhat shy Jared, referring to the Red Sox. But just a few weeks ago, he took on some major responsibility. His mom was having a seizure, but with his older brother Tyler out fishing and his dad not at home, he still knew exactly what to do. 081506
9-1-1 Operator Assists in Rescue
Carroll County (AR) – The crash of an Arkansas Army National Guard OH-58 Kiowa helicopter in Carroll County, Ark., may have turned out quite differently if not for the assistance of a Stone County 9-1-1 operator. 081906
Kindergartners Learn How To Call 9-1-1 With Cell Phone
Milwaukee (WI) – A group of kindergarteners at one Milwaukee school got a lesson in cell phone safety on Monday. Students at Starms Monumental School learned the difference between using a home phone and a cell phone when dialing 9-1-1. The group of 4 and 5 year olds were taught to push the ‘send’ or ‘talk’ button to make sure the call goes through – something you don’t have to do when you dial from home. U.S. Cellular organized the event. 091806 (Are you publicizing, notifying news media of your 9-1-1 in-school education projects? Are you working with cellular providers via their local offices/managers to assist in this project?)
Heroic Rescue Caught on 9-1-1 Tape
Boyds (MD) – Fire officials in Montgomery County say the fast action and clear thinking of three good Samaritans and a 9-1-1 dispatcher saved the lives of three citizens trapped in a car Sunday. 080806
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Boy Calls 9-1-1 to Help Sick Mother – Jawan Davis, 6, Is Hailed as A Hero
CALUMET CITY (IL) – A six-year-old suburban boy is being hailed as a hero.As CBS 2’s Katie McCall reports, the boy’s quick action helped save his mother’s life. At just six years old, Jawan Davis already has the mark of a great firefighter. He also has a reputation for keeping a cool head under pressure. Just before 10 a.m. Wednesday, his mother collapsed on the floor. With only his 3-year-old and 11-month-old brothers for support, Jawan didn’t cry or panic. He called 9-1-1. 072606
9-1-1 Dispatcher Honored for Helping Save Caller’s Life
Seminole County (FL) – A Seminole County dispatcher has been honored for saving a 9-1-1 caller’s life. The Seminole County Commission recognized dispatcher Shelly Brubaker for her quick actions after discoverning an Altamonte Springs man on the other end of the phone was choking and barely able to breath. 080806
6-year-old Hailed as Hero for 9-1-1 Call
Calumet City (IL) –A six-year-old suburban boy is being hailed as a hero. As CBS 2’s Katie McCall reports, the boy’s quick action helped save his mother’s life. At just six years old, Jawan Davis already has the mark of a great firefighter. He also has a reputation for keeping a cool head under pressure. 072606
System Pinpoints 9-1-1 Cell-phone Callers
Dover (DE) – On a moonless night in early June, Robert Hartman was lost on the Delaware Bay. And it was 9-1-1 operator David Grygo who was able to navigate him to safety. 072606
9-1-1 Call Helps Dad Save Son’s Life
Ellenton (FL) – Lisa Kalmbach, a 9-1-1 dispatcher for 14 years in Manatee County, knew Thursday’s call about a boy struck by lightning was going to be a tough one….. Several dispatchers-in-training listened as Kalmbach walked the victim’s father through CPR over the phone…. “They don’t come often, but they are the calls that make it all worth it,” said Kalmbach. Read the partial call transcript. 071306
9-1-1 Kid Hero Honored
Hancock County (IL) – Eight-year-old Michaela VanWinkle looked a little frightened Tuesday evening in front of a full crowd at the Hancock County Board room. But she stayed calm when it really counted two months earlier, when she realized her friend was being attacked by a dog. 062006
8-year-old calls 9-1-1, saves father’s life
Allen (TX) – Eight-year-old Brianna Heath called 9-1-1 to get help for her father because he would not wake up…she called from her dad’s cell phone which provided no location or subscriber information. 071106
Court rules 9-1-1 call can be admitted as evidence
Washington (DC) — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 19 that a victim’s emergency call to a 9-1-1 operator can be admitted as evidence. (We don’t have a special category for thanking judges so this one goes here) 061906
Shaq dials 9-1-1 for man outside home claiming to need help
Miami (FL) – Heat center Shaquille O’Neal received an unexpected visitor Sunday morning, hours before the big game: a robbery victim. (And the headlines the next day read Shaq fulfills promise, an NBA title for Miami) 061906
Saved by the Belle, a beagle who rang 9-1-1
BELLE Weaver has flown to Washington to receive an award for saving a family member’s life. Before leaving town, she met her congressman to accept a certificate and a medal. (Same story as one above but we used it for three points – great pic of owner & dog, great headline and this story is from Sydney, Australia, one of many international media points to pick up on it).
9-1-1 operator helps man save his own life
Altamonte Springs (FL) — Every day, 9-1-1 operators get phone call after phone call. How they handle that information could mean the difference between life and death. One dispatcher in Seminole County guided a man to save his own life when she told him how to do the Heimlich maneuver on himself. He was choking, barely able to get a word out, and he felt himself getting more and more woozy with each passing second. But the 9-1-1 dispatcher knew just what to say.(Video included with story) 061506
Five-year-old provides perfect example with 9-1-1 call
Belleville, Ontario, Canada — On May 29, Carrie Hookey was getting ready for work when she collapsed. Fortunately, her five-year-old daughter Kayla knew what to do. Kayla called 9-1-1 and stayed with her two-year-old sister Hailey while she waited for help to arrive. 061506
6-Year-Old Boy Calls 9-1-1; Saves Grandma’s Life
Pittsburgh (PA) — Brandon Bennett, 6, of McKeesport, received a national award June 12 from 9-1-1 For Kids, a national foundation dedicated to teaching children the proper time to call 911, the emergency assistance number. The award was presented at the NENA annual conference. The proper time for Brandon was the evening of May 23 when his grandmother, Kathleen Dye, went into diabetic shock and became unconscious. Brandon received the 9-1-1 Medal of Honor for summoning rescue workers to her aid. 061206
Audio found at this link: Listen To The Entire 9-1-1 Call
Boy’s 9-1-1 call helps diabetic mom
Hagerstown (MD) – When 5-year-old Camden Casey heard his baby brother crying, he knew it was because their diabetic mother couldn’t respond to him. So, the Potomac Heights Elementary School kindergartner, after determining that his mother’s blood sugar was low, did exactly what she had told him. He called 9-1-1. 060806
Girl’s 9-1-1 know-how saves mom’s life, earns an award
Raleigh (NC) – NeAsia McCargo’s mom, Alice, was taking a bath when her blood sugar plummeted. Mom wouldn’t talk, couldn’t move and refused to drink the soda her son and daughter kept offering her. So NeAsia, 12, picked up the phone and called people who always know how to help — 911 dispatchers. NeAsia’s actions that April day saved her mother’s life and won her the first Raleigh-Wake County “I Knew What To Do” award, which she will receive this morning at Durant Road Elementary School. The Raleigh-Wake County Emergency Communications Center created the award in part to raise awareness about how children should be taught to give information to — and take instructions from — 911 dispatchers, said director Barry Furey. 060206
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Dog receiving award for dialing 9-1-1 to save owner’s life
Ocoee (FL) — A dog from Ocoee will receive a one-of-a-kind award Monday night. That’s because the 2-year-old beagle dialed 9-1-1 and saved her owner’s life. Kevin Weaver went into a diabetic seizure in February. His dog Belle is trained to recognize that, so she used her teeth to bite the 9-key on a cell phone, which dials 9-1-1. Emergency crews quickly arrived and saved Weaver. 061906
Youngster Calls 9-1-1, Helps Mom During Seizure
Woodbury (MN) – When an emergency came two weeks ago, young Devon Williams (4 years old) was in his backyard in Woodbury, Minn. and knew exactly what to do. 053006
Dispatch Diligence Saves 9-1-1 Caller
Warrensburg (MO) – Johnson County Central Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call at 5:43 p.m. Saturday, May 20. For five minutes, the disoriented caller could only whisper “help me.” Dispatcher Patrick Woods asked the caller if she could provide location information, but the caller could only meet each attempt with a weakly uttered “help me.” 05/24/06
Bay Area Kids Honored For Calling 9-1-1
Bay Area (CA) – Two Bay Area school children were honored for dialing 9-1-1 to save lives. Nine-year-old Christina Ramirez of Milpitas and six-year-old Anna Babcock from Benicia were honored at the state capitol Monday. Christina called 9-1-1 when her mother had a seizure. Paramedics arrived in time to save the woman. Anna called 9-1-1 when her mom fell down a flight of stairs and couldn’t get up. 05/23/06
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5-Year-Old Boy Dials 9-1-1, Helps Save Life
Boise (ID)- A Boise woman is recovering in the hospital Friday night after emergency crews were called to her house Thursday afternoon after a 9-1-1 call from 5-year-old Tristian Dahlin. 05/19/06
Calm and patience help track crash site
Putnam County (NY) – Their lifeline was a working cell phone and an alert 9-1-1 dispatcher on the other end who used the ringing sounds of emergency sirens to determine if rescuers were getting closer. 05/20/06
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Firefighters honor boy, 4, who called 9-1-1 for mom
Westminster (CO) – The Westminster Fire Department recognized Joshua for his quick thinking and gave him a junior lifesaver award on Thursday. Joshua was also given a firefighter suit and a shiny red toy fire truck. 05/19/06t
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Benicia Public Safety Dispatcher To Receive “Hero” Award
Benicia (CA) – Tiffany Paulin, a Benicia Public Safety Dispatcher hired in June of 2004, is one of two dispatchers within the state to be recognized by the 9-1-1 for Kids non-profit educational organization for assisting a six-year-old girl who called for help after her mother fell down the stairs of their Benicia home. 05/19/06
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9-1-1 dispatcher for fire may have saved life
Tucson (AZ) – Fire destroyed a North Side apartment Friday morning, leaving one woman displaced and her cat dead, an official said. The situation could have been a lot worse if a 9-1-1 operator had not persuaded the woman who lived in the apartment not to go back in, said Capt. Paul McDonough, a Tucson Fire Department spokesman. 05/19/06
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Kids Dial 9-1-1, Put Quick End To 4-Man Home Invasion
Chelsea Harbor (TX) – Quick thinking by two children put a quick end to a home invasion Monday night at the Chelsea Harbor community northwest of Sugar Land. 05/16/06
Millis boy saves mother by calling 9-1-1
Milford, MA – As soon as he saw his mother fall, Michael realized something was wrong…and then he called 9-1-1 and calmly told the dispatcher his name and address, and what had just occurred.
(5/18/06)
Father gets 9-1-1 advice as baby is born in car’s back seat
Villa Grove (IL) – Crystal Wells celebrated Mother’s Day by giving birth to a baby boy – in the back seat of a car on a rural road north of Philo. 05/15/06
South Sound (WA) Recognizes Real Heroes – 9-1-1 Dispatch: Kate Townsend
8-Year-old’s 9-1-1 call saves ‘Grammy’
Dispatchers go above, beyond
9-1-1 Dispatcher Meets Baby He Helped Deliver
9-1-1 operator earns award
Elementary School Twins Honored For 9-1-1 Call That Helped Mom
Rockville youth one of three Hoosier children honored as a 9-1-1 Hero
Boy’s 9-1-1 call helps save his mother’s life
A Voice with a Reason
9-1-1 Operator Helps Deliver Baby Over Phone Lines
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The Alaska Chapter of NENA has given its 2nd Quarter, 2007 9-1-1 Professional award