A Las Vegas Fire & Rescue 9-1-1 dispatcher will be recognized by 9-1-1 for Kids National & International in a ceremony held at the Yard House Restaurant in Las Vegas Friday morning. The 11-year-old boy who she talked to when he called 9-1-1 for a medical emergency will also be recognized. Several dignitaries including Governor Jim Gibbons will be on hand for the ceremony.
Dispatcher Tina M. DeCola has been a dispatcher for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for the past eight years. The Fire Alarm Office handles 9-1-1 fire & medical calls for the city of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County. The center handles more than 350,000 9-1-1 calls each year.
She will be receiving the 9-1-1 for Kids National & International “Local 9-1-1 Heroes Award for the state of Nevada.” The award comes from a 9-1-1 call she received on June 8, 2008 when 11-year-old John Kevin Strickland Jr. called and stated his father would not wake up. In talking to the boy, DeCola determined the father was in cardiac arrest. She instructed the boy on how to perform CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene. DeCola was able to stay calm and instructed the boy on what to do as she tried to calm the situation in his home. A smaller sibling could be heard crying frantically in the background during the conversation which made for a very stressful situation.
The boy is being recognized for calling 9-1-1 correctly, explaining the situation and following the dispatcher’s instructions. He was able to give a concise report of what was happening and his address so paramedics could get to the scene quickly.
9-1-1 for Kids National & International is an organization that promotes education on how and when to call 9-1-1.
What: Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Dispatcher to receive Nevada State 9-1-1 Award
When: Friday, June 4, 2010 / 11 a.m.
Where: Yard House Restaurant / 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.
Who: Award recipients, 9-1-1 for Kids representatives, State & local dignitaries.
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