Heroes honored at 9-1-1 awards
Emergency dispatcher Tina DeCola was just doing her job in June 2008 when she took the distress call from young John Strickland Jr.
The boy’s father was unconscious on the family couch, and DeCola managed to initiate Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation using the 11-year-old boy and his even younger sibling. I listened to the 9-1-1 call, and it is heart-wrenching.
Tragically, the father didn’t survive, but the dramatic 9-1-1 call is a reminder of the important work performed by emergency first responders in the rescue and fire profession.
Strickland and DeCola are scheduled to be honored today at the Red Rock Casino during the 2010 Nevada State 9-1-1 Heroes Award Ceremony. Gov. Jim Gibbons and a host of top public safety and fire department officials will be on hand.
