A Marion County 911 operator was recognized at Tuesday morning’s Marion County Commission meeting for helping to save an infant’s life.
Fire Chief James Banta told commissioners that in August, Brenna Parson, an emergency telecommunicator, received a call seeking help for a pediatric drowning victim. The 911 caller reported that her baby had fallen under the water in a bathtub and wasn’t breathing.
Banta said that Parson knew the baby was only one years old but she remained calm and directed the caller through pediatric CPR procedures.
“The caller was understandably under an immense amount of stress and anxiety, but Brenna was able to calm her down and keep her focused on performing CPR,” Banta said. “Brenna directed CPR efforts while simultaneously dispatching EMS units to the scene.”
A short time later, Banta said, the outcome proved to be positive.
“In the middle of the recorded call, the baby can be heard starting to cry,” Banta said. “This is a huge success for a telecommunicator. This distinctive accomplishment, while under tremendous pressure, reflects greatly upon herself, public safety communications and Marion County.”
Parson also was recognized last month as a Hometown Hero at the second annual Hometown Heroes Community Breakfast. That event was sponsored by Heirs-Baxley and Veterans Helping Veterans.