Date: May 20, 2021
Contact: Mike McClintock, Battalion Chief / Public Information Officer, (909) 547 – 5080
Each year San Bernardino County CONFIRE dispatchers dispatch our crews to more than 150,000 calls. From the initial 911 call until the end of the call they are there taking information, providing over the phone guidance and aid our responding crews to the scene. Recently four of our dispatchers assisted with critical calls with positive outcomes. Our dispatchers are specially trained to assist 911 callers in life-saving instructions while crews are responding to the call for service. These instructions are vital in saving San Bernardino County residents or visitors each year. Great job to our dispatchers on a job well done!
On May 5th at 9:09am ME229 was dispatched to a reported one-year old choking victim in the City of San Bernardino. Within a minute of the call 911 callers stated the patient was not breathing. Dispatcher Kiana White gave over the phone instructions CPR instructions to family. ME229 and an AMR ambulance arrived on-scene and took over care from Kiana. ME229 advised that the baby girl was breathing on her own and expected to make a full recovery.
On May 6th at 9:09am 911 was called for a childbirth in the City of Fontana. While ME76 was responding to the call, Dispatcher Alisha Johnson talked the father through a very quick delivery. The baby was born at 9:13, just four minutes are the initial 911 call. ME76 arrived and took over care with an AMR ambulance. Both mom and baby are home and doing well. Great job Alisha and Dad on the delivery. This is the first baby for Dispatcher Alisha over the air. Great job to Alisha and Dad!
On 5/13 Dispatcher Kirsten Mendoza received a 911 call for a 14-month-old baby boy not breathing in a vehicle at a Café in the Community of Phelan. A waitress at the Café had stepped outside and was approached by mom saying her baby was not breathing. 911 was immediately called Kirsten instructed both parties through CPR together until units arrived. The boy was transported by a SBCoFD Ambulance to a local hospital where he was reported stable and has since been released.
At May 18th at 2:42pm Call-taker Katelynn Mayhew received a 911 call for a 59-year-old male having difficulty breathing in the City of Hesperia. At 2:43 the patient was reported no longer breathing. Katelynn provided direction to the 911 caller while a SBCoFD Engine and Ambulance responded to the scene. Per protocol Katelynn asked the 911 caller if an Automated External Defibrillator or AED was available. It was confirmed there was an AED on site at which point Katelynn directed to utilize the device, closely following the prompts. The AED successfully administered a shock at 2:45. By 2:47 it was reported the patient was breathing again. The AED was successful and brought the patient back with a regular heartbeat. He was transported awake, breathing, and stable. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can be the most time-critical medical emergency an EMS dispatcher fields, and the well-trained dispatcher can make the difference between life and death for a victim of SCA.
The Importance of CPR Training
Anyone can learn CPR and everyone should. The American Heart Association reports that 70% of Americans feel helpless to act in the event of a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to effectively administer CPR or their training has lapsed.
The Life You Save May Be That of a Loved One
Did you know that four out of five cardiac arrests occur at home? Not only that, but many victims of sudden cardiac arrest appear healthy and may not have any known heart diseases or risk factors. Performing CPR promptly may save the life of someone you love.
Prevent Brain Death
Brain death occurs four to six minutes after the heart stops breathing. CPR effectively keeps blood flowing and provides oxygen to the brain and other vital organs, giving the victim a better chance for full recovery. Everyday Health reports that If CPR is given within the first two minutes of cardiac arrest, the chances of survival double.
