Bunnell, FL - A communications specialist with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) is receiving praise after their efforts saved two separate lives, both within an hour of each other.
FCSO Communications Specialist McKenzie Davis received a call around 3:30 Sunday afternoon (September 6th) from a mother who said their 6-month-old child was not breathing.
Per FCSO, the mother seemed frantic, but Davis worked to calm her down while getting her prepared to administer CPR to the infant. Davis was then able to walk the mother through CPR instructions, counting off each compression to ensure the timing was right.
After a round of CPR, the infant was breathing and moving again. They were later transported to a children’s hospital for further observation. However, an update on their condition is not available at this time.
Then, just an hour later, Davis answered another emergency. This time, a woman said her 71-year-old husband was in the pool and not breathing. The man was soon dragged out of the pool by family members before Davis began another round of CPR instructions.
Once again, she relayed the steps and counted off each compression as family members took turns administering CPR. Davis' instructions continued until Deputies Denker and Strack arrived to help.
Both deputies soon took over and attached an automated external defibrillator to the patient. But, the AED advised both deputies that a shock was not needed. Paramedics arrived on scene and determined that the man had a strong pulse.
He was later transported to the hospital by ambulance. FCSO reports that the man is expected to make a full recovery.
“9-1-1 is the number you call in your darkest hour and it is the voice on the other end of the line that can help you through whatever situation you are facing,” Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly said. “In these cases, McKenzie was able to not only calm the callers down enough to listen to the instructions, but she was also able to count with them to ensure they were doing compressions as often as required."
Staly further commented on Davis' actions, saying she has already saved four lives this year.
Back in August, Davis received a call from a mother that stated her one-and-a-half year old daughter was having a seizure and stopped breathing. Davis once again relayed CPR instructions to the parents until the baby spit up and began breathing again.
First responders eventually arrived at the scene and examined the child to ensure they were ok.
"She is a true hero and a great partner with our deputies in the field,” added Staly.
This year, FCSO's Communications Center starting tracking lives saved by dispatchers on what they call the “Tree of Life," which is painted on a wall of the center. Each dispatcher’s name is written on a leaf and a heart is added for every life saved.
And the hearts not only represents when a 9-1-1 dispatcher saves a life, but also when they assist in bringing life into the world. FCSO Communications Supervisor Amy Sisti received a heart for providing instructions to a father to help deliver his baby boy.
“These are just a few examples of the amazing work that our 9-1-1 dispatchers do to help our community,” Sheriff Staly added.
