News By Readers
Bi-Lingual Youngster Named 9-1-1 Kid Hero
9-1-1 Kid Hero Daniella Soto, with her father Daniel Soto, meet Cell Phone Sally
By Patty Cross
Eight-year-old Daniella Soto was awakened in the middle of the night, July 31st, and asked to make a call that saved her father’s life. She dialed 9-1-1 and then set about translating for both sides of the conversation, relaying reassurance from the 9-1-1 Telecommunicator to her Spanish speaking parents, and answering key questions that resulted in the quick dispatch of Lewisville Emergency Medical Services to her home that night. The young hero’s father, Daniel Soto, was experiencing severe chest pain. Daniella was named a “9-1-1 Kid Hero” today as a result of her actions at an award ceremony held in front of her fellow third graders at Lewisville Elementary School.
During the five-minute call, Daniella gave her address, phone number and critical information about her father’s condition to the 9-1-1 Telecommunicator, Cassie Race. As the call continued, Daniella continuously translated her parent’s comments and the Telecommmunicator’s responses. As Lewisville paramedics pulled up to the Soto residence, Mr. Soto experienced the symptoms of a heart attack. Daniella and her mother were understandably frightened, but Daniella listened and responded to the Telecommunicator’s assurance that help had been dispatched. Daniella added a quick, “Thank you,” as the paramedics arrived at her home and then hung up the phone.
At the award ceremony held on September 11, Public Safety Telecommunicator Cassie Race got to meet the little girl who impressed her with her emergency reporting and language skills. Race was proud to place the “9-1-1 Kid Hero” medal around the neck of the young life saver. Happily, both of Daniella’s parents attended the ceremony.
Bi-lingual Lewisville Public Safety Telecommunicator, José Ronquillo, translated for the couple who immigrated from Chile.
Patty Cross, Manager of Training and Education Development, Denco Area 9-1-1 District, scheduled the ceremony for September 11th, which is celebrated as “9-1-1 Day” by Public Safety Telecommunicators nationwide. She relayed these key 9-1-1 tips to the Lewisville elementary students:
• Call 9-1-1 only in an emergency.
• Tell the 9-1-1 Dispatcher what is happening.
• Give your address or tell the location using cross streets or landmarks.
• Know your telephone number.
• Answer the questions the 9-1-1 Dispatcher asks.
• Don’t hang up until the Dispatcher says it’s OK.
• Even if you don’t speak English, you can get help from 9-1-1.
Cross recommends that during an emergency, Spanish speaking individuals dial 9-1-1, say, “hablo español,” and remain on the line for a translator or bi-lingual Telecommunicator.
9-1-1 Mascot Cell Phone Sally was also on hand to give Daniella a small gift and a hug. Sally stayed around to
meet all of the Lewisville Elementary third graders. Following the ceremony, teachers at the elementary school were given a DVD starring Cell Phone Sally entitled, “Getting Help is Easy,” and enough “9-1-1 Puzzle-Palooza” activity booklets for each of their students. The booklets, printed in English and Spanish, will help them remember the day and 9-1-1 tips that might help them save a life.
All Communication Officers within the Denco Area 9-1-1 District are trained as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) using the nationally recognized and certified Priority Dispatch System. When a 9-1-1 caller has a medical emergency, the EMD uses the system to ask detailed questions about the situation and provide pre-arrival instructions, when appropriate.
Denco Area 9-1-1 District was created by voter referendum in 1987 to establish an enhanced 9-1-1 telephone service for the citizens of Denton County and all of the City of Carrollton. The District provides the network, database, call processing and mapping equipment for 9-1-1 service as well as 24/7 support for the system, public education and Telecommunicator training. The district is overseen by a locally elected or appointed Board of Managers; therefore, all goals and budget decisions are made at a local level, including the decision to provide life-saving EMD training to the more than 175 Communication Officers who work across the 11 Public Safety Answering Points in the District.
During the five-minute call, Daniella gave her address, phone number and critical information about her father’s condition to the 9-1-1 Telecommunicator, Cassie Race. As the call continued, Daniella continuously translated her parent’s comments and the Telecommmunicator’s responses. As Lewisville paramedics pulled up to the Soto residence, Mr. Soto experienced the symptoms of a heart attack. Daniella and her mother were understandably frightened, but Daniella listened and responded to the Telecommunicator’s assurance that help had been dispatched. Daniella added a quick, “Thank you,” as the paramedics arrived at her home and then hung up the phone.
At the award ceremony held on September 11, Public Safety Telecommunicator Cassie Race got to meet the little girl who impressed her with her emergency reporting and language skills. Race was proud to place the “9-1-1 Kid Hero” medal around the neck of the young life saver. Happily, both of Daniella’s parents attended the ceremony.
Bi-lingual Lewisville Public Safety Telecommunicator, José Ronquillo, translated for the couple who immigrated from Chile.
Patty Cross, Manager of Training and Education Development, Denco Area 9-1-1 District, scheduled the ceremony for September 11th, which is celebrated as “9-1-1 Day” by Public Safety Telecommunicators nationwide. She relayed these key 9-1-1 tips to the Lewisville elementary students:
• Call 9-1-1 only in an emergency.
• Tell the 9-1-1 Dispatcher what is happening.
• Give your address or tell the location using cross streets or landmarks.
• Know your telephone number.
• Answer the questions the 9-1-1 Dispatcher asks.
• Don’t hang up until the Dispatcher says it’s OK.
• Even if you don’t speak English, you can get help from 9-1-1.
Cross recommends that during an emergency, Spanish speaking individuals dial 9-1-1, say, “hablo español,” and remain on the line for a translator or bi-lingual Telecommunicator.
9-1-1 Mascot Cell Phone Sally was also on hand to give Daniella a small gift and a hug. Sally stayed around to
meet all of the Lewisville Elementary third graders. Following the ceremony, teachers at the elementary school were given a DVD starring Cell Phone Sally entitled, “Getting Help is Easy,” and enough “9-1-1 Puzzle-Palooza” activity booklets for each of their students. The booklets, printed in English and Spanish, will help them remember the day and 9-1-1 tips that might help them save a life.
All Communication Officers within the Denco Area 9-1-1 District are trained as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMDs) using the nationally recognized and certified Priority Dispatch System. When a 9-1-1 caller has a medical emergency, the EMD uses the system to ask detailed questions about the situation and provide pre-arrival instructions, when appropriate.
Denco Area 9-1-1 District was created by voter referendum in 1987 to establish an enhanced 9-1-1 telephone service for the citizens of Denton County and all of the City of Carrollton. The District provides the network, database, call processing and mapping equipment for 9-1-1 service as well as 24/7 support for the system, public education and Telecommunicator training. The district is overseen by a locally elected or appointed Board of Managers; therefore, all goals and budget decisions are made at a local level, including the decision to provide life-saving EMD training to the more than 175 Communication Officers who work across the 11 Public Safety Answering Points in the District.
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News