On Friday, March 12, Dispatchers Jason Rushford and Carly Kinnas attended the 911-For-Kids Massachusetts State 911 Heroes Awards Ceremony, in Dedham, Massachusetts, and they presented a lesson on when, why, and how to call 911 to more than 40 elementary school students who were there in attendance.
The ceremony was sponsored by 911-For-Kids, a national public education organization that aims to teach children how to properly call for help from the police, fire, or EMS services. Two children from Massachusetts were honored at the ceremony including a 10-year-old boy who called for an ambulance when his father was choking, and an 11-year-old girl who dialed 911 and then stayed on the phone, hiding in the basement, when a burglar came into her home attempting to steal jewelry and other items there. The ceremony also honored the dispatchers who took these calls for help.
Students were treated to a parade of police and fire apparatus and a visit from Red E. Fox - one of the official 911-For-Kids mascots, and then they heard the 911 lesson presented by Dispatchers Rushford and Kinnas. The lesson provided students with tips for dialing 911 including information on calling from cell phones, helping responders find you when you don't know your exact address, and providing the information necessary for dispatchers to send help as quickly as possible. The lesson also included an opportunity for some of the students to practice calling 911 using a special phone simulator. Students were able to practice dialing the phone and they were guided through real-life scenarios.
If you have an event or a group that could benefit from the 911 public education program, or if you would like more information on how to call for help using 911, contact Dispatcher Jason Rushford or Dispatcher Carly Kinnas via e-mail or at the Amherst Public Safety Communications Center at 413-259-3000. For more information on 911-For-Kids, visit their website.
In the photo, Dispatchers Kinnas and Rushford pose with Red E. Fox.
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