By Lauren Fellers
The Gazette
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — Two youngsters who impressed 911 dispatchers with their composure in life-threatening situations were honored Thursday by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Hannah Tobey-Ramos, 9, called 911 and followed the dispatcher’s directions to the letter when her mother was on the verge of passing out as a result of low blood pressure, while Jacob “Cooper” Listul served as a communication channel between a dispatcher people assisting at a plane crash in a field next to his house.
The two were awarded 911 Heroes Awards by El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa himself. The award goes to children who are able to provide life-saving aid or critical assistance by calling 911 during an emergency, demonstrating calm in situations where even adults are known to panic.
Hannah reacted quickly April 8 when her mother, Suzanne Tobey- Ramos, showed signs of passing out. Hannah told the dispatcher what was going on and acted efficiently to get help, even directing her brother to man the phone while she went out to direct arriving paramedics.
“I got really scared when the paramedics came and put all that weird stuff on her,” said Hannah after receiving her medal and certificate. But she certainly had no problem holding it together in the critical moments when she was speaking to the 911 dispatcher.
Susanne Slade, the operator who answered Hannah’s call, was impressed with her poise. When she directed Hannah not to give her mother anything to eat or drink, Hannah promptly removed the water and apple she had handed her mother moments before.
She reacted with a speed that Slade said she rarely sees in adults, who often question her directions. As a result, Hannah’s mother was able to sit with her Thursday during the ceremony.
Cooper, 12, acted swiftly as well when his neighbor’s small plane crashed into the field by his house on March 24. Following directions from his father, Warren Listul, Cooper called 911 and relayed directions from the operator to those on the scene, while keeping the dispatcher informed of what was happening.
The Listuls live near Fondis, a town roughly 50 miles northeast of Colorado Springs and far from any fire station. It took paramedics more than 20 minutes, making the ongoing communication vital.
The neighbor, Bob Boozell, is expected to make a full recovery despite having broken his neck in the crash. Boozell was unable to come to Thursday’s ceremony, but he wrote a letter to Cooper and his family, thanking them for their help.
“I’d have to say that it was exciting and a little scary at the same time,” said Cooper, explaining that he had been afraid Boozell would not make it.
“I feel a lot of pride. Pride and accomplishment. She handled it well,” said Suzanne Tobey-Ramos, smiling as her daughter held up her medal.
The room was packed with members of the police and fire department, along with the families and the 911 dispatchers who took the calls.
“He was literally the most impressive child I’ve had in 14 years of dispatching,” said Sarah Jane Thompson, the dispatcher who took Cooper’s call. “You just couldn’t believe he was so young.”
In addition to medals and certificates, the children received rolling backpacks from the El Paso-Teller E911 Authority Board, which provides dispatcher training.
“Emergencies are frightening, and most adults panic,” said Linda Simmons, 911 education coordinator for El Paso County. “But these little guys were so together.”
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