YORK COUNTY, Pa. —
The York County Department of Emergency Services handles hundreds of calls for help every day, but one of those calls was answered by a brand-new dispatcher who helped save a life on her first day taking calls.
First live 911 call becomes a medical emergency
Mary Eyler had just finished weeks of training when she took one of her first live 911 calls. A man said his wife did not have a pulse, and Eyler walked him through CPR until paramedics arrived; the woman survived.
“When you’re in the training room, that’s like the scary call, and you think that it’s not going to happen until you’re a little more seasoned,” Eyler said.
Eyler had lost her father to a cardiac event less than a week before her first live calls. She said the experience made the save especially meaningful.
“It feels good to know that I made a difference, and that she’s still here,” Eyler said.
Trainer says Eyler’s calmness was critical
Certified training officer Matt Kidd said a call like that is extremely rare on a first day, especially with a positive outcome. He said staying calm was key.
“She was adamant she wanted to help make a difference and take calls. And, she made a huge difference and saved a life,” Kidd said. “The biggest thing is remaining calm, and I can’t stress enough. That’s the best job that she did. Not just the instructions, but especially what she had been through with her father.”
Eyler received a county certificate recognizing the CPR save.
https://www.wgal.com/article/york-county-dispatcher-credited-cpr-save-first-day-taking-calls/71256133
