GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Emergency 912 Dispatcher Tamika Huggins, recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from Head of the Ambulance Department Cylred Richardson, for her performance in assisting the parents of Baby Jessie Greenaway during a medical emergency.
Parents of Jessie Greenaway, namely, Clem and Tricia Greenaway, called the Ambulance Emergency Dispatch 912 to report a medical emergency with their baby. The baby had turned blue from lack of oxygen which is an indication of choking.
912 Emergency Dispatcher Tamika Huggins answered the call and walked the Greenaway family through the steps necessary until the ambulance arrived on the scene.
Children under age four are most at risk for choking on food and small objects. A number of foods or other items (for instance, hot dogs, poorly chewed pieces of meat, grapes, raw carrots, hard candy, balloons, and small toy parts) can become lodged in a child’s airway, keeping oxygen from reaching the lungs and the rest of the body as well.
Ambulance Department Head Cylred Richardson, said he was very pleased with the professional performance of his staff members, adding in the end it was a great team effort.
“The parents, Clem and Tricia Greenaway, were very grateful for the way the 912 dispatcher talked them through what needed to be done while the ambulance was en-route to their location.
“Every minute counts, and therefore, in moments like these it is important to give the right information in order to achieve positive outcomes,” Head of the Ambulance Department said on Wednesday.
Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Rafael Boasman, takes the opportunity to commend 912 Emergency Dispatcher Tamika Huggins for her outstanding performance during the medical emergency that the Greenaway family were facing as well as the professionalism displayed by the responding Ambulance team.
“It is very important that whoever calls in a medical emergency, to carefully listen to and follow the instructions given by the dispatcher. These are professionals who are trained to assist until the ambulance reaches the scene.
“Once again, congratulations to Tamika Huggins, the responding Ambulance team for a job well done, and to the Greenaway family who also played an important role in following instructions in saving the life of baby Jessie Greenaway,” Minister of Public Health Rafael Boasman said on Wednesday.
A medical emergency is when someone who is unconscious, gasping for air or not breathing, experiencing an allergic reaction, having chest pain, having uncontrollable bleeding, or any other symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
The Ambulance Department falls under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour.
For medical emergencies call 912. When you call this number, be prepared to answer the call-taker’s questions, which may include: the location of the emergency, including the street address, the phone number you’re calling from; the nature of the emergency followed by description of injuries or symptoms being experienced by a person having a medical emergency. Do not hang up until the call-taker instructs you to.
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R: Clem Greenaway, Tricia Greenaway, Emergency 912 Dispatcher Tamika Huggins, Head of the Ambulance Department Cylred Richardson holding the Certificate of Appreciation, while Ambulance Emergency Medical Technicians and a staff member look on. DCOMM Photo
