Racine County dispatcher Emily Johnson received a Lifesaving Award June 19 for helping a Yorkville family when their 2-year old child was found in the family’s swimming pool and not breathing last month.
Johnson was on duty at the Racine County Communication Center on the night of June 9 when the family called 911 for emergency assistance. She immediately dispatched the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) of the Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department and instructed the family about how to give the child CPR.
Following her instructions, the family started CPR on the toddler, and by the time the EMS unit arrived, the child was breathing and semi-conscious.
While being transported to the hospital, the child regained consciousness and began smiling and interacting with the EMS crew in the vehicle.
“We’re proud of Emily,” said Racine County Communications Director Tom Christensen.
“Like all of our dispatch technicians, she has been specially trained in Emergency Medical Dispatch. Without that training, she might not have been able to help save this child’s life.”
Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig agreed.
“This is another example of what a great success joint dispatch has been,” Ladwig said.
“A year ago, Emily Johnson was working in the Mount Pleasant dispatch center; now she’s capable of dispatching emergency services for any part of the county.”
Ladwig presented the award to Johnson on June 19 at the Racine County Communication Center, which is located in the same building as the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Station, 14116 Washington Ave., (Highway 20), Yorkville.
The child’s family and members of the Union Grove Yorkville Fire Department were also in attendance.
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