Fire and Emergency Services officials in Chatham-Kent are using a local example of a choking toddler to point out the need for everyone to have proper first aid training.
Fire and EMS staff recently presented a Citizen's Action Award to Patricia Jones after she used her first aid and CPR training to save 14-month-old Sarah Haven's life on September 22.
Officials say Jones quickly jumped into action after noticing that the toddler was choking and having difficulty breathing.
A release from Chatham-Kent Fire and EMS says Sarah's mother is "extremely thankful" for Jones' help and feels "everyone needs to know first aid and CPR" adding "you don't know when you may have to save someone's life."
Chief Ken Stuebing also highlighted the need for citizen first responders, saying the municipality has "excellent Paramedics and Fire Fighters in Chatham-Kent, but in cases like Sarah -- with a blocked airway -- no response is fast enough and often it is people like Patricia who make a difference."
