Thursday, January 12th, 2012, St. Stephens Fire Department First Responders along with personnel from Catawba County 911 center, Catawba County Fire Rescue Division, and Catawba County EMS, conducted a special presentation to Bethanie Wall. Bethanie is a seven year old child, that had to use the 911 system to report an emergency at her residence.
This special presentation took place at Webb A. Murray Elementary School. The event was made possible with assistance from the Principal, Mr. Chip Cathey, 2nd grade teacher Mrs. Tanya Yount, Bethaines' mother, and other staff of the school.
All emergency personnel and school staff involved entered the classroom to meet Bethanie and her classmates. Fire personnel educated the class on the proper use of the 911 system. The class was made aware of what is considered an emergency and non emergency and when it is appropriate to call 911. Fire personnel also discussed what information is needed to give the 911 operator, and discussed how important it is to stay calm and remain on the line until help arrives. During this time Bethanie Wall was recognized in the presence of her classmates and teachers with a certificate and a medal for activating the 911 system due to a medical emergency at her residence. Bethanie remained calm, knew her address, the type of emergency, and followed all instructions given by the 911 operator. Due to the courageous actions that Bethanie made, assistance was able to respond in a timely manner. The class was privileged in listening to the 911 recording of Bethanie and the 911 Telecommunicator. Because of the terrific job that Bethanie did for her family, all responding personnel had lunch with Bethanie and her class. The class was rewarded with refreshments afterwards followed by a tour of a fire truck.
St. Stephens Fire department would like to thank all personnel and staff that assisted with putting this event together for Bethanie and her class. Bethanie was able to meet all of the personnel that responded to the emergency, that she reported, including 911 Telecommunicator Jodie Lynch that took the 911 call from Bethanie and got the appropriate help on the way. Represented were Chief Shawn Greene, Deputy Chief Josh Randolph, Assistant Chief Jeff Barger, Captain Eric Jones, Fire Engineer Matt Quarles, Firefighters Jessie Kale, Ashlea Sigmon, and Fire Explorer Mason Baker all from St. Stephens Fire Department. Also represented were Jodie Lynch (911 Telecommunicator), Terry Benfield (Paramedic, Catawba County EMS), and David Pruitt (Catawba County Fire Rescue Division)
