Prince William County Children Honored for Calling 911 and Remaining Calm

Thirteen children who had to make a call to 911 were rewarded for remaining calm and collected in the face of emergency.

The Prince William County Office of Public Safety Communications honored the children, between the ages of 5 and 13, earlier this month.

The names of the children and a short description of their good deeds provided by the county is below:

Rebecca Boice: At 12 years old, Rebecca called 911 in August 2012 from her mother’s cell phone to say she had just witnessed a vehicle crash. One of the car’s occupants had a possible head injury and officers were called. “Thanks to Rebecca’s observations and level-headedness, first responders were able to keep everyone safe,” according to the county.

Nathan Allen: When an adult family member suffered a medical emergency, Nathan, who was 11 years old at the time, contacted 911. The call taker was impressed at Nathan’s calmness and he answered all questions before help could arrive.

Natalie and Anthony Villalva: In October 2012, an adult family member suffered a medical emergency and stopped breathing. Natalie, 10, and Anthony, 9, called 911 and remained calm and followed instructions from the dispatcher to turn the man on his side. The siblings were able to monitor the man until help arrived. 

Katrina Mendez: In November 2012, an adult family member was suffering from a  bad headache and Katrina, 9 years old at the time, spoke to dispatchers. She helped translate back and forth for another family member until EMS arrived.

Jasmine Villatoro: Jasmine called 911 in November 2012 after a sibling was experiencing chest pains. Jasmine staid on the line and followed instructions until EMS arrived. 

Luis Leiva-Mondragon: Luis called 911 in January 2013 to report that an adult family member was pregnant and had fallen unconscious. Luis, who was 9 at the time, stayed on the line and followed the call taker’s instructions until EMS could arrive.

Audery Jones: Audery called 911 in February 2013 to report that an adult family member was experiencing chest pains and other symptoms. Audery, who was 10 years old at the time, was prompt in answering all of the call taker’s questions until EMS could arrive.

Erica George: In March 2013, Erica called to report that an adult acquaintance of the family was at their home causing trouble. Erica, who was 7-years-old at the time, went into another room to call and provided call-takers with all the information they required. When an adult family member was able to get away from the acquaintance, the call takers advised Erica that it was her mom at the door. Erica told call takers that she had learned how to call 911 from an officer.

Rebecca Velasquez called 911 in September 2013 because she came home from school to find the door to her house unlocked and damaged. Rebecca, who was 12-years-old at the time, went to a neighbor’s house to use the phone and call 911. The call taker who nominated her said Rebecca was frightened but answered all questions. She even advised the call taker that her younger siblings would be arriving home from school soon and that the bus let them off at their driveway. Rebecca stayed on the line with the call taker until police arrived on the scene.

Collier Hunt called 911 in September 2013 because an adult family member was having difficulty breathing. Collier, who was 12 years old at the time, advised the call taker that the family member had been ill for a few days. The call-taker who nominated him noted that they could hear the adult family member in the background and that she seemed to be in great distress. Collier remained calm, following the call taker’s instructions while also caring for two young siblings who were home. Without his intervention, the call taker reported, the outcome for the family member might have been far different.

Brian-James Kirby called 911 in September 2013 because he heard someone screaming outside. He went outside and located an injured person. Brian, who was 13 years old at the time, got disconnected from 9-1-1 but the call-taker called him back. Brian remained calm and cooperative, and he remained on the line with the injured person until Police and EMS units could arrive.

Michael Baksis called 9-1-1 in September 2013 because an adult family member was attempting to change an alarm system and had gotten stuck on a third-floor ledge in the home. Michael, who was just five years old at the time, was very calm on the phone. He was also excited to meet a real Firefighter. The call taker said Michael did an awesome job.