Two kids among recipients of Ambulance Victoria’s Community Heroes awards

Five Victorian kids have been dubbed “everyday heroes” and recognised for helping save lives at Ambulance Victoria’s annual Community Hero Awards.

Five Victorian kids have been dubbed “everyday heroes” and recognised for their bravery at Ambulance Victoria’s annual Community Hero Awards.

This year’s awards honoured 17 Victorians who saved lives by calling triple-0 and dished out first aid, CPR or defibrillation procedures before paramedics arrived.

Ambulance Services Minister Jenny Mikakos presented the award winners with medals for their heroism.

BOY SAVES HIS GRANDMOTHER’S LIFE AFTER BICYCLE CRASH

YOUNG VICTORIANS AMONG THOSE AWARDED FOR LIFE-SAVING EFFORTS

HEROES WHO SPRUNG TO ACTION WHEN IT COUNTED

“Their bravery and quick-thinking actions have helped save lives,” she said.

“Emergencies can happen when we least expect them. Our paramedics do a great job, but all of us can help out and make a big difference to a patient’s chance of survival.”

“Not all heroes wear capes”. - Our CEO @agwalker01 recognising the efforts of our #CommunityHeroes2018. #BetterTogether pic.twitter.com/8GgdDvEr3O

— Ambulance Victoria (@AmbulanceVic) December 4, 2018

Paramedic Toby St Clair nominated three Ashburton teenagers for their quick thinking that saved 16-year-old Declan Savage.

Declan almost drowned after falling unconscious in a backyard swimming pool on December 19 last year.

Younger brother Liam, 13, talked to triple-0 while friends Oscar, 15, and Toby Hickey, 13, gave Declan CPR.

“Oscar got him breathing again and then Liam and I were stuck with him to make sure he’s not going in the pool,” Liam said.

Two of the boys had previously learnt CPR techniques through Life Saving Victoria’s Nipper Education Program.

Declan Savage was saved by his friends. Picture: Hamilton Fiona

“It all unfolded really quickly,” Oscar said.

Declan spent two weeks in hospital recovering over Christmas.

“When I found out my mates had saved me with my brother I was really proud of them,” he said.

“I had a pretty good recovery.”

PHOENIX AND SISTER WINTER RISE TO THE OCCASSION

The youngest heroes, eight-year-old Phoenix Pool and little sister, Winter Paget, 4, were nominated by paramedics for saving their father, Marcus, after he suffered a sudden and severe medical emergency.

Winter stayed at her father’s side and comforted him while Phoenix’s composure allowed him to follow instructions from an ESTA operator.

“I guess I thought that he was going to be okay,” Phoenix said.

On August 25, late on a Saturday afternoon, Phoenix called his mother and then updated an ambulance operator for nearly 10 minutes after his father, Marcus, woke up dazed and unable to communicate.

“Dad was just lying in bed and I went to give him a hug and Dad woke up and he wasn’t making any sense at all,” Phoenix said.

Immediately realising something was wrong, he called his mother Amalie Paget and her partner Darren, who then called triple-0.

Marcus Pool with his children Phoenix Pool and Winter Paget. Picture: David Caird

“Marcus had been unwell for a few days and when Phoenix called he sounded upset and said ‘Daddy’s not making any sense’,” Amalie said.

The pair were nominated by ambulance officers Philippa Doggett and Alison Bell who said Phoenix’s quick actions and calm presence over the phone helped save his father’s life.

The siblings will be recognised by Ambulance Victoria as Community Heroes at a special ceremony.

The phone call, lasting little more than eight minutes, shows how Phoenix calmly took instructions from the ambulance operator.

“Dad, can you raise both arms above your head, like this?” he said.

“Watch me. Can you do this? Dad, can you do this for me?”

The two children assisted their father while waiting for an ambulance.

The young boy told the operator that his father could not perform any of the tasks he was asked, including smiling and saying “the early bird gets the worm”.

This allowed paramedics to understand the severity of the medical emergency.

Although just three years old, Winter sat with her father keeping him company and helped to keep him calm.

Paramedics arrived within minutes and thanks to the young pair, were able transport Mr Pool to the Austin Hospital safely.

Doctors later diagnosed the 34-year-old with Meningococcal septicaemia, a severe blood infection that can kill in just hours.

Mr Pool fell into an induced coma for 11 days before waking on Father’s Day to see his family again.

The proud father said he was in awe of his son.

“Phoenix is my superhero, he saved my life,” Mr Pool said.

“I can never repay him for what he’s done for me and I cannot thank him enough for saving me.”

Mr Pool suffered from a blood infection and last week had both legs amputated. Picture: David Caird

Mr Pool has been in hospital since that night and had both legs amputated last week.

The Pool and Paget families thanked the paramedics and staff from the Austin Hospital for their efforts to save Mr Pool’s life.

Ambulance Victoria’s Community Hero Awards recognise and thank everyday Victorians who bravely assist someone at the scene of a medical emergency.

This is the 19th year of the awards, and will celebrate the incredible stories of five patients, whose outcome would certainly have been much worse had it not been for the actions of quick-thinking bystanders.

Since the first Community Hero Awards in 2000, nearly 250 outstanding members of the community have been recognised.

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