HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-19-2018 4-c - Recognition of Community Heroes
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 19, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-c
SUBJECT: Recognition of Community Heroes
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)
ATTACHMENT(S):
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kim Woodward, 919-245-6133
Dinah Jeffries, 919-245-6123
PURPOSE: To commend recent lifesaving actions by Orange County residents with recognition
and with the presentation of certificates to those who provided assistance.
BACKGROUND: Two recent incidents that could have ended in tragedy in Orange County
instead had much happier endings, thanks to quick reactions by Orange County residents
On Saturday, May 12, 2018, the Tyson family was enjoying an afternoon at the Churton Grove
community pool. The youngest member of the family, Parker, 4, was found unresponsive in the
pool. His father, David Tyson, reacted immediately and pulled Parker out of the water. Dr. Anita
Skariah, a local physician, was on the scene and rushed to provide assistance. Gabe Walker,
an Orange High School student with CPR training, also started assisting. Dr. Skariah confirmed
the Parker was not breathing and did not have a pulse. CPR was initiated and the child became
responsive after two and a half minutes.
Fire and EMS resources were on scene quickly and assumed care of Parker. Parker was then
transported to the hospital and has since made a full recovery. This full recovery was possible
because every link in the chain of survival was in place.
Parker’s parents requested that Dr. Skariah, Gabe Walker, and the public safety providers who
provided lifesaving care should be publically recognized. The Tyson family is unavailable for
this meeting due to a previously planned vacation, but did provide a recorded thank you video
that will be shared at the meeting.
Telecommunicators who processed the 911 call, the Orange Rural Fire Fighters and the Orange
County EMS providers who responded on May 12th have all been invited to the meeting.
A week later, two Chapel Hill residents likely saved a young girl from drowning when they
responded to a call for help. Savannah Jastram and Norman Picard saw two young girls in the
University Garden Apartments pool on Pritchard Avenue Extension around 9:15 p.m. on
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Saturday, May 19, 2018. The pool had not yet opened for the season. Picard heard someone
shout: “Help, I can’t breathe!”
Jastram and Picard ran to the pool and scaled the fence. Picard jumped into the pool and
retrieved the young girl while Jastram dialed 911. The girl was unconscious and not breathing.
Jastram administered CPR until the girl regained consciousness and began breathing on her
own.
The Chapel Hill Police and Fire departments and Orange County Emergency Services
responded to the scene within minutes, and the young girl was transported to UNC Hospitals
where she was treated and made a full recovery.
Both of these incidents could have ended up in tragedy were it not for the quick thinking and
selfless responses of these Orange County residents. Orange County Emergency Services
joins with the Board to present certificates to all the residents involved in both events
proclaiming each of them as a “Community Hero”.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
It is the County’s goal to ensure a community network of basic human services and
infrastructure that maintains, protects, and promotes the well-being of all County residents.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board join with Orange County
Emergency Services to present certificates to all the residents involved in helping with both
events, proclaiming each of them as a “Community Hero”, and recognizing their quick actions
and the assistance of the public safety professionals, all which led to two life-saving outcomes.
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