Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett, today paid tribute to 27 young Victorians who showed courage and bravery beyond their years at the Junior Triple Zero Heroes Awards.
Ms Garrett congratulated the youngsters, aged between four and thirteen, for remaining calm and calling Triple Zero in emergency situations that would have rattled most adults.
The annual awards ceremony, now in its 11th year, recognises young people (up to 16 years) who have used the Triple Zero service to render urgent assistance from police, fire or ambulance services.
This year’s heroes, who are nominated by Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) operators, include:
- Four–year-old Tiana who called Triple Zero when her mother fainted;
- Nine-year-old Ethan who helped deliver his baby brother; and
- 13-year-old Beau who called Triple Zero and then delivered first aid after his dad walked into a running chainsaw.
ESTA operators work 24 hours a day, every day of the year, to respond to close to 1.7 million emergency calls from across Victoria every year.
Every day, ESTA operators receive around 6,600 emergency and non-emergency calls. This is approximately a call every 13 seconds.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett
“Close to 1.7 million emergency calls are made to ESTA via the Triple Zero service every year, but clearly standing out were the acts of these brave youngsters, in situations that would rattle most adults.”
“When you do use Triple Zero, follow the lead of these young heroes and use the service responsibly and appropriately.”
“A recent survey revealed that more than a third of Victorians who have called Triple Zero rated the service 10 out of 10.”
“This is a testament to the quality of the Triple Zero operators, who often have to help people through some of the worst moments of their lives.”
Note: Audio of Award Heroes’ calls is available for media. For more information, contact the ESTA Media Line on 1300 783 462
Reviewed 19 August 2020