When Charlotte Jones’ grandfather, Ron, fell to the floor shaking on January 5 this year, the nine-year-old knew exactly what to do.
Quickly dialling triple-0, Charlotte remained calm as the call-taker took her through a series of questions to gauge Mr McKenzie’s condition.
‘‘My pa, he’s shaking,’’ she told Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) call-taker Jess Pullen.
https://youtu.be/OFiQ_WIj1O8
AUDIO AND TRANSCRIPT OF CHARLOTTE’S CALL
‘‘He’s really cold and he’s vomiting.’’
The Woodend Primary School pupil also relayed information about where Mr McKenzie was feeling pain and his past medical history.
Paramedics soon arrived and took Mr McKenzie, 91, to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a serious blood infection. After a week, he returned home, and is doing well.
Charlotte’s efforts to get her grandfather the help he needed were recognised with an ESTA award on Thursday. She was one of 29 Victorian children receiving awards at the 12th annual ceremony.
Charlotte’s mum Michelle McKenzie-Jones said it was a great moment.
‘‘We certainly taught her about triple-0 from a young age, and they went through the lessons at school,’’ she said. ‘‘But you just never know how it’s going to be until something like that happens. We’re very proud.’’
Charlotte said while she had been upset to see her grandfather in pain, she knew that she needed to phone triple-0 for help.
‘‘He still tells me thank-you,’’ she said.
ESTA chief executive Julia Oxley said the awards highlighted the importance of teaching children when and how to call triple-0.
