APEX N.C. - A 911 call  earned sixth-grader Kayley Lancaster hero status at West Lake Middle School and an impressive award.

 

“I was trying to be as calm and clear, making sure they know what I was taking about and where I need the help,” Lancaster said.

 

The Raleigh-Wake County 911 Emergency Communications Center’s “I Knew What To Do” award, honors kids 12 and under who exemplify the best ways of using 911. Kayley’s mom fell down the stair injuring her back, leaving Kayley frightened, yet composed and ready to make that call.

 

 911 dispatchers said staying calm and knowing your location are important when making the call. 

 

“It happened so quickly before I knew it, I was on the floor. Kayley was on the phone calling 911. She did a fantastic job,” Kayley’s mom Deborah Lancaster said.

 

Director of the 911 center Barry Furey said many times children handle emergency situations better than adults.

 

“We see examples where these younger adults and children really do an outstanding job maintaining composure during a very stressful situation,” Furey said.

                        

Kayley not only help her mom in an emergency but she is now nursing her back to health. After the experience with 911, she knows that the only thing to fear, is fear itself.

“Now I know to call 911 is not as scary as it seems,” Lancaster said.

 

For more information about how to educate your children about 911 click on www.raleighnc.gov.