Child In Crisis

At the heart of the consolidated Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (Florida, USA) is a team of 8–12 Emergency Dispatchers (per shift) who are unified, welcoming, and dedicated to serving the 225,000 residents in their 589 square miles. In fact, their service extends to running the local animal shelter and jail as well.

Communications Training Supervisor Samantha Clark Johnson has been a part of the team through the early stages, having begun her career in public safety almost 19 years ago. A highlight of her position is observing the way her Emergency Dispatchers rise to the occasion each time they answer the line, even those still honing their skills.

“The MPDS^® is an essential safety net for any calltaker,” Johnson said. “For newer calltakers, it gives them the confidence they need early on to recognize that they do have what it takes for this career.”

That theory was put to the test when EMD Trainee Kaitlyn Eddy received a call under the direction of her Field Training Officer (FTO) Telecommunicator Demi Mesiana about 11:00 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2025. Though she was only about halfway through her training, Eddy was given the emotional challenge of handling a call for a 10-year-old child with a disability who was in cardiac arrest.

Initially, the patient’s older brother called after arriving at the child’s home, explaining that he had been running a bath for his sister. Based on his description, Eddy questioned whether the girl had drowned in the bath, but further questioning revealed that the brother had found the girl unconscious and not breathing while sitting in the special chair she utilizes for school.

“It may not have been clear to the caller why the child was in cardiac arrest,” Mesiana said. “But it was clear we needed to start CPR as the girl had last been seen conscious and breathing approximately 20 minutes prior to the call.”

The brother then handed the phone to the mother, allowing Eddy to begin CPR instructions with the mother counting compressions. As the severity of the situation sunk in, both the brother and mother could be heard in the background reacting with hysteria.

“As an FTO listening in, I made sure I was there to keep my trainee on track and assist if it seemed like she was losing the caller in the chaos,” Mesiana said.

But Eddy stayed focused on a life that needed to be saved. “Compassion and control are a big part of any call I take,” Eddy said. “I like to focus on being a guiding voice, whether it is helping people through small things or critical moments.” The call ended when law enforcement arrived on scene. Eddy took a breath, recognizing that she had just completed her first CPR call, now checking every five minutes for an update. Though she knew the patient had been transported, she had to wait until the next shift to learn the patient had been resuscitated at the hospital.

Mesiana proudly confirmed that her trainee had remained calm and showed compassion while providing clear lifesaving instructions to the caller, a representation of both of their efforts. In recognition, Eddy and Mesiana were honored with a CPR Saves Award, which was featured on the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

“This was a stressful, emotional call for anyone to hear or to take,” Johnson said. “Overall, the call showed that Kaitlyn and Demi have a very bright future in this field.”

Moments like these remind Mesiana of why she loves her job. “I am the first voice the caller hears in times of distress,” she said. “I take pride in knowing that my actions may positively impact someone’s life on one of their worst days. I am blessed not only to do the job, but to love it in the process.”

For Eddy, it’s just the beginning. “Saving that child’s life will always be a moment I remember and look back on when taking future calls,” she said.