Seven-year-old saves Mom with 911 call

Story and photo by Shelly Willsey

EDMONTON — “My son is my hero,” Maria Ouellette says of her seven-year-old son, Birk, who called 911 and got her the medical help she needed. “It's still very emotional ... very heart-warming my son did that for me.”

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officials are commending the seven-year-old boy for knowing what to do when his mother collapsed in their rural home north of Edmonton earlier this month.

Birk Ouellette called 911 and provided emergency responders with the information they needed — including directions to their acreage — after his mother lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor. Birk’s three-year-old brother Merrick was the only other person home at the time.

Birk remained at his mother’s side and provided information to paramedics while they treated Maria at the scene. Maria was eventually transported to Royal Alexandra Hospital, and a neighbour cared for the two boys until their father, who was at work, returned home.

For his part, the shy Birk didn’t say much at his press conference, but agreed it’s a good idea for all kids to know how to call 911.

“What this young man did demonstrates what a child is capable of, even in an emergency,” says Trevor Maslyk, Executive Director of EMS Operations for Alberta Health Services (AHS).

“We are thankful this story had a positive outcome and I am proud of this little man, as I am sure his parents are. Maria needed emergency care as fast as possible and she received it thanks to Birk’s actions.”

Birk had memorized the family’s address as part of a Grade 2 school project. Maslyk points out acreages are often tricky to find and clear, accurate directions can save emergency responders valuable minutes.

“We haven’t had this address very long,” says Maria, who is now recovering at home. “I’m a little surprised he was able to tell the ambulance where to find us. I’m very proud of him.”

After explaining the situation and giving the family’s address, Birk stayed on the phone with the Emergency Communications Officer Kirk Ryan until the ambulance arrived.

“This is something we think all families should talk about,” adds Maria, “and I hope Birk’s example inspires other people to talk to their kids about what to do in an emergency.”

Robyn Warrington, an emergency medical technician who responded to the boy’s call, says families and schools can deliver simple messages to children about 911:

• Call the number as quickly as possible in an emergency.
• Know your address and phone number.
• Stay on the phone until a dispatcher says to hang up.
• Realize 911 is not a toy.

AHS EMS dispatch receives about 400,000 ground and air ambulance calls each year. About 70 per cent of these calls are 911 calls. The remaining 30 per cent are for patient transfers from one health care facility to another. There are about 2,400 AHS EMS practitioners.

“We are all really impressed with how brave Birk was,” says Warrington.“He was watching for us to arrive, and was incredibly calm and helpful. He knew exactly how to react to an emergency.”