NEWS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

31 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546

20 January 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Chief Tom Weitzel

708 447 2127 tweitzel@riverside.il.us

9 YEAR OLD TO RECEIVE 911 AWARD

On November 8, 2015 at 4:39 A.M., nine year old resident, Vera Brenneman, dialed 911 looking for
help for her ill father. Something happened to my Dad and he is not waking up, Vera told
Communications Officer Deana Wetzler when the 911 call was received.
In an emergency, most people begin to show signs of some type of anxiety and many will panic.
Everyone has some type of fear when it comes to a loved one needing emergency medical help.
However, Vera handled this medical emergency more calmly than most adults would have. She
carefully listened to the Communication Officers questions and gave concise answers that led to
getting her dad the help he needed. Riverside paramedics were dispatched along with police officers to
the home and medical assistance was provided to Veras dad.
Most would have expected a 9 year old to be in tears and panicking when calling for help for their dad,
but not this young girl. She clearly realized that she needed to be understood and communicate the
information effectively to get the help that was needed.
Vera will be recognized with a 911 Award at the Riverside Village Board meeting on Thursday,
January 21, 2016 at 7PM. Vera is a role model for other kids to look up to when dialing 911, said
Communications Officer Wetzler, who took the call for assistance.
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