Wednesday, May 30, 2001
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners were to honor 911 dispatcher John Williamson today for saving the life of a 15-month-old boy.
"He is a great dispatcher," said shift supervisor Rodger Laird. "One of the best we have."
Williamson was on duty at 3:30 p.m. April 14 when the child was found unconscious in a creek behind a West Farmington Township home.
Another dispatcher, Jeff Ford, talked to the distraught parents while Williamson directed medical services to the scene.
Called for flight: Williamson said he called a helicopter ambulance service quickly, even before an ambulance from the Bristol Fire Department arrived.
A Metro LifeFlight helicopter, which happened to be passing through the area, was diverted to pick up the boy, trimming as much as 10 to 20 minutes from the flight time.
Three miles into the flight to the hospital, the boy's breath returned, Williamson said.
"I guess the guy upstairs and a lot of good efforts here helped him out," he said.