A concerned child couldn’t figure out how to solve their math homework, so they called the first person they could think of for help — 911!
In this audio-only video, posted by TikTok account 911 Calls (@911_stories_), a 911 dispatcher answered the phone, saying, “911, what’s your emergency?” A young child responded, “Yeah I need some help.” A situation was certainly under way!
The dispatcher asked “What’s the matter?”
The young student, determined to get some answers, replied, “With my math! I have… takeaways.”
The dispatcher was more than willing to help with the child’s subtraction problem. He responded kindly, “Oh you gotta do the takeaways? Alright, what’s the problem?” …
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — Crook County 911 is implementing a new emergency medical response system this week, designed to improve response times and first responder efficiency.
The dispatch center provides communication service to the Prineville Police Department, the Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Crook County Fire and Rescue, and the U.S. Forest Service.
Rebekah Burkhardt, 911 communications director, said the new dispatch software guides emergency dispatchers seamlessly through the process of gathering essential information, resulting in faster response times…
There are times when clear, effective communication can make the difference between life and possible disaster.
Such was the case during a steady afternoon shift on May 27 when Tim Johns, a dispatcher for the Mentor Safety Forces Communications Unit, received a call from a frantic mother whose infant son had stopped breathing.
Seconds after receiving the emergency call at approximately 8:25 p.m. Johns’ extensive professional training and skills kicked into high gear.
As soon as he collected the necessary information, dispatched first responders and alerted fellow staffers to contact related safety forces, Johns directed the worried woman on how to administer CPR and chest compressions.
“The mom was frantic but she did a great job…,” he recalled. “When I gave her the instructions to give mouth-to-mouth I could hear the breaths going in…she was counting with me. I knew right away that she was following the directives. She was definitely engaged.”
Welcome news arrived about three minutes into the call and a minute prior to the arrival of first responders when the mother informed Johns she had observed her son move.
Further evidence that the child was rallying came while the dispatcher was in radio contact with medical personnel en route to the hospital and he heard an update that the child was crying.
Afterward, relieved that the outcome of the stressful situation appeared to be positive, Johns allowed himself to take a few deep breaths and down a bottle of Gatorade.
“That call will be with me forever,” he said while reflecting on the incident.
As the father of three children ages 7, 5 and 18 months, Johns said that hugging them the following morning was a little more special.
Mentor Fire Chief Robert Searles recently recognized Johns for his outstanding effort with a letter of commendation. Mentor Police Captain James Valley added further reflection in an email.
“The two most important things that should happen in this situation were that first responders were dispatched quickly and life-saving instructions are clearly communicated to the caller to provide CPR,” Valley said. “Through Tim’s actions and teamwork, he accomplished both very well. Tim’s ability to maintain his composure under stress, think and act quickly, and communicate clearly was exceptional.”
Although the gamut of calls to the communications unit can extend from a lost dog to life and death situations dispatchers must be prepared for every scenario at all times.
“It could be completely quiet at the dispatch center and then a ladder could fall onto the freeway. It could get very busy, very fast…anything could happen at the drop of a dime,” Johns said, adding that “I do like to remain calm under pressure. That’s the one thing when I tried dispatching I knew I would be good at.”
Coupled with the Mentor resident’s unflappable demeanor is his desire to assist others.
Part of John’s off-duty time is spent doing volunteer work at St. John Vianney Church in Mentor, where his uncle the Rev. Tom Johns serves as pastor.
Johns said the work of the communications unit is largely a team effort and that he’s appreciative of his fellow workers’ assistance.
“We’re all trained the same and we’re all able to handle situations,” he said, adding that “(dispatching) is definitely a rewarding job…being able to help and support people is a very important thing for me.”
PADUCAH, Ky. (WSIL) — At last night’s joint meeting between the Paducah Board of Commissioners and the McCracken County Fiscal Court, both boards unanimously voted to be 50/50 partners in the development of the outdoor sports and recreation complex and the public safety capital improvements for E-911.
“The city and county joined arms and decided to be partners on both projects and it’s a very positive step for this community,” Paducah Mayor George Bray said.
While both projects are very different, one trying to cash in on regional tourism dollars and the other public safety infrastructure, both tied together for development purposes…
Aiken County, its Sheriff’s Office and its emergency medical services (EMS) department all are being sued because of how an emergency call was handled two years ago.
Also named as defendants are Aiken County Sheriff Michael Hunt, Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian, a dispatcher identified as Jeannie Turner and “John Does.”
The lawsuit includes accusations of negligence, gross negligence, recklessness and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Brothers Jack Roberts and Frank Roberts filed the legal action on May 9 in the Court of Common Pleas for South Carolina’s Second Judicial Circuit…
Police encounters are stressful for everybody. But they can be complicated and dangerous when they involve people with mental health issues or physical disabilities.
The Effingham Police Department and County Sheriff’s Office have launched an initiative to update their shared “Special Needs Registry.”
This registry is a list of people with behavioral issues, mental health concerns and disabilities. People or their caregivers can volunteer to sign up for the registry so if police or fire respond to an incident involving someone on the registry, they are aware of the individual’s circumstance…
Learn about current efforts to continue to protect the 4.9 GHz Band for public safety as well as recent filings, key decisions impacting these efforts, and how you can support PSSA’s initiative to protect the 4.9 GHz band for public safety.
