Reprinted with Permission of Forsyth County News

For generations, preschoolers have been taught to recognize community helpers such as police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses and doctors.

In recent years, they have also been taught the telephone number 9-1-1 and that another community helper will answer when they have an emergency.

Joshua and Emily Phillips were just 6 and 4, respectively, when their mother, Kathy Phillips, a diabetic, went into a diabetic coma and was lying unresponsively on the floor.

It was Emily who encouraged Joshua to call for help.  He already knew the number, 9-1-1.

On the other end was Forsyth County 9-1-1 Operator Michelle Bridges.

"They were nervous," said bridges, a five-year veteran of the 9-1-1 center. "But, surprisingly kids are always a lot calmer than adults.  They don't understand the severity of what is happening."

91-1-1 operators are taught how to talk with children of different ages and to ask questions on their level.  They also establish a first name rapport with the caller and try to be reasurring.

"We talked and I got him to have his sister to get to the door.  He tried to find out if mom was breathing, which is not easy because she was on her stomach."

She said that both children were very mature.

"I made them aware that strange people would be coming to the door and that the strangers coming in their house would be carrying odd looking equipment .  I told them that a fire truck would be pulling up in front of their house, and they liked that."

Kathy, who now refers to her children as her "angels", was taken to the hospital and is doing fine today.

On Wednesday, Gov. Sonny Perdue presented Joshua and Emily with a medal and certificate commending them for coming to their mother's aid by calling 9-1-1.

The brother and sister were joined by another Forsyth Countian, Megan Lime, who was also just 6 when her mother, Sandra, experienced a severe migraine  and seizure.

On the other end of the 9-1-1 call was operator Kimberly Carter.

"Calls from kids always stand out in yoiur mind," said Carter, recalling the June 21, 2004 incident.

"I remember how poised she was.  You could tell she was upset, but she was able to answer a question.  She was also taking care of her two year-old brother."

Unlike the Phillips, Megan had the help of a neighbor, who was alerted by authorities to the situation.

While Megan remained calm during her mother's medical crisis, she appeared a bit nervous as she posed with Gov. Sonny Perdue at the Capitol.  The Governor, who has twin granddaughters that are Megan's age, did his part to make her feel more comfortable.

"9-1-1 is an essential service that we should never take for granted," said Perdue.  "Countless tragedies are avoided every year by citizens dialing 9-1-1 during emergencies.  It is a privilege to say 'thank you' for a job well done."

"We are proud to show our appreciation for Georgia's 9-1-1 professionals.  Each day, they save thousands of lives in dozens of different ways," said Interim Office of Homeland Security and Georgia Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Sherberger.

In addition to their medals and certificates, these pint-sized "9-1-1 heroes" also received $100 U.S. Savings Bonds, T-shirts and hats.  The event was sponsored by Bellsouth Positron, Motorola and Chick-Fil-A.

Designated as the universal emergency number in 1968, the 9-1-1 number and system has enabled communities to respond to a greater number of emergency calls in a more timely and efficient manner.