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Local "9-1-1 Heroes" recognized at a Moreno Valley event
Ana Fernandez was asleep in her Moreno Valley home when her mom's screams startled her awake. The 10-year-old rushed out to find her mom struggling to dislodge a metal coat hanger from her 10-month old sister's mouth.
Ana quickly called 9-1-1 and clearly told emergency dispatchers her address and explained the situation. Firefighters and paramedics arrived to her home quickly.
Ana's heroic act was recognized at a Riverside County 9-1-1 for Kids event where she was recognized as a "9-1-1 Local Hero" at Red Maple Elementary School in Moreno Valley, where Ana is a fifth-grader. The ceremony kicked off a countywide effort by the fire and sheriff's departments to educate 80,000 children about when to call 9-1-1 and what to tell a dispatcher.
"Ana's call really stood out because she was able to give me cross streets and her address," said Christie Muse, the fire department 9-1-1 dispatcher who received Ana's call the morning of July 22. "When I asked for her phone number, she asked if I wanted the house or the cell. Not many children know all that information."
A four-year old who called 9-1-1 when her mother's wheelchair got stuck in mud was also recognized at the event.
The "9-1-1 for Kids" program, established in 1999, involves partnerships among fire, law-enforcement and emergency medical services agencies to provide training, materials and educational tools. It teaches pre-kindergarten through second-grade children when and how to dial 9-1-1, and what information they need to provide public safety dispatchers in the event of an emergency.
"The goal is to teach children how to use 9-1-1 efficiently, reducing the high number of non-emergency calls that can prevent real emergencies from getting help," said Fire Captain Julie Hutchinson.
The Board of Supervisors presented Ana and the 9-1-1 for Kids program a proclamation at its Sept. 30 meeting.
Ana said she is now teaching her three younger sisters their address and phone number so they can be prepared for an emergency.
"I'm telling them it's important to stay calm so you can answer all the questions right," Ana said. "You never know when you'll have to call 9-1-1."
For more information on the program, tips on how to teach children about 9-1-1, or to see a video on the 9-1-1 for Kids event, visit www.rvcfire.org. To see a video of the event, visit www.clerkoftheboard.co.riverside.ca.us/911.wmv.
For information contact:
Rick Peoples,
Public Information Officer
Telephone: (951) 826-6642
Fax: (951) 826-6199
rpeoples@rcoe.us
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