Accolades for Triple Zero Heroes
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan has congratulated Victoria’s youngest heroes for their courage and bravery during life-threatening emergencies.
Mr Ryan joined representatives from the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) to recognise the state’s Junior Triple Zero Heroes – more than 20 youngsters under 16 years old, who called 000 to help family and friends in severe distress.
Mr Ryan said the heroes were nominated by ESTA call-takers throughout the year in recognition of the youngsters’ calm in emergency situations.
“This year’s Junior Triple Zero Heroes include a four-year old who called an ambulance after her pregnant mother experienced stomach pains, fainted and went into early labour,” Mr Ryan said.
“Another family of junior heroes are four siblings who worked together to call an ambulance and perform CPR until it arrived, after their mother had a severe asthma attack and stopped breathing.
“The bravery of Victoria’s Triple Zero Heroes is remarkable, considering how emergency situations can send even the calmest adults into a panic.
“These youngsters have taken control despite family and friends experiencing a severe illness or attack and in fire emergencies, to ultimately save lives or protect their homes and communities.”
Mr Ryan said more than 1.5 million emergency calls were taken by ESTA every year, but these young heroes stood out for their courage and calm in the midst of an emergency.
“These young heroes are an example to all Victorians and their stories help spread the message to the community about how to use 000 appropriately in an emergency,” Mr Ryan said.
The 9th annual Junior Triple Zero Heroes awards recognise young people who have used the 000 service appropriately to render urgent assistance in a police, fire or medical emergency.
ESTA is a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation with over 600 staff, providing services to five million Victorians. Its call-takers and dispatchers take, on average, just over 6,000 emergency and non-emergency calls every day.
ESTA is one of the few emergency communications agencies in the world that manages communications for the full range of emergency service providers, this includes CFA, MFB, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and SES.
