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Troy child gets international honorTROY, Sep 28, 2011 (The Daily Review - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- A Troy child has become an "international" hero. This summer, Isaiah May, who is now 5 years old, was honored during the 2011 International 9-1-1 Heroes Awards Ceremony by the international public safety organization, 9-1-1 for Kids; Cassidian Communications; and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials at the APCO International 77th Annual Conference & Expo in the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, according to a news release. It notes that on Aug. 7, 2010, May, then 4 years old, called 9-1-1 when his mother, Cara May, suddenly collapsed on the bathroom floor due to severe abdominal pain. "Isaiah remained calm and carefully followed Dispatcher (Brandon) Renninger's instructions to help get the appropriate immediate emergency assistance to his mother," the release notes. "Isaiah's call models the behavior other youngsters should exhibit when correctly using the 9-1-1 system. Because of Isaiah's bravery and quick-thinking, his mother is alive and well today." The international honor is just the latest accolade for Isaiah. Last year, Bradford County 911 Director Robert Repasky provided Isaiah with a public safety award from the 911 center. Back then, he also nominated him for the 9-1-1 for Kids International Heroes Awards. The award from the 911 center reads that he showed "great courage and strength while calling 911 to request help for his mother." Bob Ives of Troy, who attended the ceremony, said a portion of the emergency call was played at the ceremony, and said that he was impressed by Isaiah's composure. "He was very professional, he stood up there and looked out on the crowd," Ives said. He noted that there were about 30 children from local youth groups there to "see what receiving an award is all about." According to Ives, Isaiah received a medallion, a certificate, and other items. He thought the child's story was an inspiring one for other kids and also adults. Ives said a child told Isaiah, "I wish you could show me how to do what you did." "He was really cool, he took everything in stride, he talked to some of the young kids and had his big medallion around his chest," Ives said. "I think it (9-1-1 for Kids) is a great organization." Cara May said the ceremony was amazing. "There was tons and tons of people there and news cameras," she said. "I was so proud. It was great." She said the children that were there were from the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Clubs. She said she was surprised that her son was honored internationally. She said there were other kids honored from different states, but her son was the only one recognized as an international hero. "The cutest thing of all was the phone call," she said. "It was amazing what he actually said on the phone." She said she hopes other parents impress upon their children how important making a 911 call is when someone is in danger. "It's important that a child, no matter what their age, should know how to call 911. He saved my life. I'm glad I taught him how to call 911." In a previous interview, Cara May said that she shared a book called "It's Time to Call 911: What to Do in an Emergency" with Isaiah. "It had been quite a long time since he read it, and he remembered it," she said at the time. "It's amazing. He did a wonderful job; he did a great job." According to the news release, the 9-1-1 Local Heroes program brings critical awareness to exemplary dispatchers and 9-1-1 youth heroes. The 9-1-1 Local Heroes Medal of Honor is bestowed upon a young person who distinguishes himself/herself by "gallantry and intrepidity" calling 9-1-1 to help save a life or property, or to report a crime; equally as important, this award is presented to the 9-1-1 dispatcher/call taker who processed the call and dispatched the appropriate emergency response help, the release notes. Eric Hrin can be reached at (570) 297-5251; e-mail: [email protected] ___ (c)2011 The Daily Review (Towanda, Pa.) Visit The Daily Review (Towanda, Pa.) at thedailyreview.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |