15 Children Honored for “Making the Right Call”

A few of Manassas Park, Manassas and Prince William County’s youngest residents will be honored today for their bravery, composure and collectiveness in emergency situations.

 The Prince William County Office of Public Communications will recognize 15 boys and girls at the agency’s Make the Right Call ceremony scheduled for 1 p.m. at Station 8 in Manassas.

 Each of the children were involved in emergency situations and knew to calmly call E-911 and provide dispatches and medics with vital information.

 “The Make the Right Call program shows the importance of knowing how to properly use E-911 when emergency help is needed,” said Police Captain Ted S. McInteer, director of the PWC Public Safety Communications Center. “Please join us in congratulating these boys and girls for properly using E-911 to help save lives.”

 Here is a list of the young people being honored today:

• Kristen Kang called 911 in June 2010 and told the call taker that an adult family member had collapsed. Kristen, 12, remained calm and listened to the instructions of the emergency medical dispatch, making sure the door to the house was open for emergency responders.

• Katie Danford called 911 in July 2010 and told the call taker that an adult family member reported having terrible headaches after just being released from the hospital. Katie,9, handled herself extremely well for her age, impressing 911 call takers with her professionalism.

• Tylon Evans called 911 on two occasions in August 2010 because an adult family member was unconscious. Tylon,9, knew what to do and followed all the pre-arrival instructions given to him. He also took care of a younger sibling during these events until a relative and the medical crew arrived on the scene.

• Christian Cordero called 911 in September 2010 and reported that an adult family member was unconscious. Christian,10, listened to instructions from the call taker and took care of a younger sibling until the medical crew arrived.

• Mark Colon-Gonzalez called 911 in October 2010 to report that he found an adult family member unconscious when he came home from school. Mark, who was 11 years old at the time, remained calm and his quick actions “played an important role in creating a positive outcome” for the family member, according to PSCC personnel who nominated him.

• Tracey Duffour-Donkor called 911 in November 2010 to report that an adult family member had fallen from the bed and was acting disoriented. Tracey, 11, remained calm and kept the call taker informed of everything that was happening with the adult until help could
  arrive.
• Joshua Jones called 911 in November 2010 to report that an adult family member wassuffering terrible back spasms and pain. Joshua, 11, followed all the pre-arrival instructions and did not panic, according to the call taker, despite the fact that the adult was “screaming in pain in the background.”
• Kaylle Sanchez called 9-1-1 in March 2011 to report that an older sibling was unconscious. An adult family member was tending to the fallen individual and asked Kaylle, 11, to call 911. She followed all the pre-arrival instructions, translating on the spot so that the family could assist in helping the individual until emergency responders could arrive.
• Rickoya Jones called 911 in June 2011 to report that an adult family member wassuffering chest pains. The call taker noted that Rickoya, 8, was cool, calm and collected;
  listening to all of the instructions and making sure the door was unlocked for Fire and EMS units.
• Justin Elkins called 911 in April 2011 and in July 2011 to report that an adult familymember was very ill with respiratory problems. Justin,9  at the time, remained calm both times and was able to provide all the required information despite being “very scared and concerned” for the family member.
• Matthew Pritchert called 911 in August 2011 after an adult family member fell while outdoors and was injured. Matthew, 13, who has special needs, “did a wonderful job” helping the fallen adult, following all directions from the call taker and dressing the adult’s wounds until help could arrive. He remained calm throughout.
• Faith Alderman called 911 in August 2011 to report that an adult family member was experiencing a possible stroke. Faith, 11, remained very calm, provided all required information and followed all directions. “She also told the call taker that they did not need to stay on the phone with her, and that she would be OK until medical units arrived,” the nominee noted.
• A’Nesti Belgrave called 911 to report that an adult was experiencing chest pains. A’Nesti,9, followed the pre-arrival instructions until help could arrive.
• Clarissa Hopkins called 911 in September 2011 because an adult with a history of medical problems was having trouble breathing. Clarissa,10, followed all the pre-arrival instructions until help arrived, and remained calm throughout.
• Isabella Reprieto called 911 in September 2011 to report that an adult family member was in premature labor. Isabella, 10, remained on the phone with call takers and followed all instructions, including making sure the door was unlocked. “She told us where her motherwas and provided her mother’s information and completed other tasks that the crew had
  given her to do,” wrote one of the EMS technicians who responded to the call. “She remained cool, calm and collected, accompanying the adult to the hospital where her little sister was born in the back of the medic unit just outside the hospital’s doors.”