By Heart of Illinois ABC
BLOOMINGTON – The City of Bloomington is honoring a police and fire dispatcher for recently saving the lives of a child who nearly drowned and another person who was considering suicide.
Telecommunicator Amanda Richmond’s “calm demeanor” enabled her to successfully instruct a caller how to perform CPR on a child.
“She was able to quickly direct responding emergency units during the situation, which ultimately led to the child surviving the drowning situation,” according to a city news release.
Richmond received a second life-saving award for helping someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Using empathy and her communication skills, she was able to keep the person on the line from taking their own life,” the city said.
About a month ago, the city said Richmond also helped a caller deliver a baby.
“Telecommunicators help people at some of the worst moments of their lives,” said Bloomington Police Chief Jamal Simington in a prepared statement.
“They are the lifeline for all emergencies requiring public safety group responses” said Simington.
“The City is incredibly proud to have someone like Amanda on our team,” the chief also said.
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