Nick Carpenter gets an opportunity to hold Josiphine, the child he helped save when she was 8 weeks old, by instructing her father in performing CPR.

Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The evening of Jan. 23 is a night that will always be remembered by 911 County Dispatcher Nick Carpenter, Lutheran Paramedics, Winona Lake Police Officers, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory Firefighters and the family of the then 8-week-old Josiphine Johnson, Winona Lake.

Because of the calmness of Carpenter and the willingness of the infant’s father, Trey Johnson, today, Tuesday March 11, was a celebration and an opportunity for the family to say “thank you” to those who helped save the little girl’s life. It was also one of those rare moments where a dispatcher and emergency personnel could met someone they helped.

A group of those involved on that evening gathered in the training room at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office. It was a happy occasion and everyone could see Josiphine, now nearly four months old, was healthy and loved to smile.

What seemed like an eternity, was only 45 seconds before CPR instructions were being given to the father, who called 911, while co-workers of Carpenterwere dispatching the emergency personnel needed.

Trey Johnson recalled that night.

Chenee Gaff,; her daughter Brylee Walls; Trey Johnson, carrying Josiphine Johnson; his mother and father, Robert and Vicki Johnson, arrive at the sheriff’s department training room to thank those who saved Josiphine’s life on Jan. 23.

“It was on a Thursday night. I was feeding her. She was hungry, she’s taking her bottle. She only has a little coming out of the side of the mouth. I ended up grabbing a burp rag and wiping up the spit and she started fussing. Which she normally does. But she took this one a little bit above and beyond.

“She had this mucus plug come out of her nose and she took this gasp of air in. I don’t know if there was still feed there or what, but she chocked on mucus or feed and pretty much turned pale white and was unconscious. I checked her pulse. There as no pulse and that’s when I called 911 and he (Nick) had walked me through CPR for six minutes until the ambulance got there. It felt like forever.”

Carpenter, who still gets emotional over the situation as some of the others present did, also recalled that evening. “They called and they said my daughter’s not breathing.” He said he got the call and his partners went and started the needed responders and CPR was started. “I found out how old she was,” stopping to gather his emotions. He stated he tried to keep calm. “It was rough for me.” Carpenter had just completed one year as a dispatcher.

Sheriff Jim Smith stated it was important for everyone to know that within 45 seconds CPR was underway. “Which was pretty darn remarkable. … it takes a lot of effort to try and for them, the dispatcher, to stay calm enough to explain what they have going on and getting the age and all that … to be able to get CPR started within 45 seconds.”

Ryan Reed, paramedic with Lutheran EMS, was on the call that evening with his partner, Luke Gunter. He recalled arriving at the home, going inside the residence and finding the infant. “We didn’t know exactly quite yet if she was viable … until I picked her up and she started moving a little bit. I knew it was actually successful.”

He told Johnson he knew it was hard for him to do CPR on his daughter. “It’s awesome you felt comfortable enough to take instruction to carry that out. … you guys are honestly the ones that kept her alive to get her to the hospital.”

Nick Carpenter, 911 dispatcher takes a moment to gather his emotions as he recalls the 911 call he took from the Johnson family.

Reed also stated how Johnson was calm riding in the back of the ambulance listening to what he was being told and keeping the family informed. Johnson later admitted he had not performed CPR since he was in middle school.

“You (Nick) helped me out. I probably wouldn’t have been able to make it through it. You made it possible. I appreciate every one of you,” said Johnson.

Winona Lake Police Officer Mandy Escalante stated she arrived after the ambulance and saw the child being taken to the ambulance. “The moment we heard her cry it was just … we knew she was being taken care of.”

“What a deal,” said Sheriff Jim Smith. “A lot of people don’t realize when you have something like this, sometimes the impact that it can have on first responders and its not just (them). Although you think you move on to the next one, which in some way you do, but … you think about it quite a bit … I’ve got to think all these folks that were involved in this situation that a lot of the same for them especially when it’s a little one. They will get just as much out of this as you folks are coming in and meeting them.”

Additionally, Smith stated he could not be more proud of his dispatchers. “That’s where it all started. Nick, you’ve done an absolute remarkable job and I know he’ll probably tell you it’s just another day at work, just doing what he’s supposed to do and the things that are expected of him.

“We want to recognize those things. It’s pretty darn remarkable. I couldn’t be more proud of you. I’m so glad you are a part of us and you probably are going to mean more to this family for years to come than you could ever imagine,” Smith said.

Smith also stated how Carpenter made a difference. He also gave accolades to Amanda See, 911 Communications director, for the training the dispatchers receive to remain calm and steady to be able to get through what you need to at a time.

“What a horrible situation you were in … able to get on the other side of it … opportunity to meet everyone and for me to say publicly how proud I am of the work that Nick did and all of you …”

Vicki Johnson, grandmother and former EMT, said “definitely hats off to everybody. Because it is like he (Smith) said. It’s your job, but to us, you did way more than your job. You actually saved her. So thank you. It’s not something that you forget.”

The brief gathering ended with Trey Johnson stating “thank you all. Thank you Nick.” Carpenter’s only response was “I’m happy to help.”

It was noted CPR classes for adults, children, and infants is offered the third Saturday of each month at 9 a.m. at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital. Alicia Mediano, EMS director, stated it is important to know CPR.