Emergency call 911 dispatchers have an incredibly tough job. Spending their days (or nights) fielding frantic calls from distressed people in their worst times, they have to be quick-thinkers, efficient communicators, and above all, stay cool under pressure.

We wouldn’t blame them for feeling worn out because of their high-pressure jobs!

Recently, however, an emergency call operator, Jason Bonham, shared a phone call he received on the job that was totally unlike any other- and it has us all in hysterics!

When Bonham responded to this phone call, he immediately recognized that on the other end of the phone was a very young child. You’ll notice his patient and familiar tone:

Jason Bonham (JB): What’s wrong?

Savannah (S): Um…. my dad can’t hardly breathe…

JB: Ok, hold on a second, ok?

S: Ok.

JB: How old are you?

S: I’m 5 years old.

JB: Ok, what’s your name?

S: Savannah.

JB: Ok, Savannah, hold on. I’m getting them dispatched ok?

Of course, it wasn’t long before Savannah’s spunky, confident personality started to really come through!

S: Ok… you need to come reaaaal fast!

JB: Ok, Savannah, I have ’em on the way. Is your Daddy still awake?

S: Yeah

JB: Okay. Is your front door unlocked, Savannah?

S: Uh… [calls out] Is our front door unlocked? No.

JB: Ok, Savannah, can you go unlock that front door for me?

S: Sure.

JB: Ok.

S: Ok, I’m going to go [unclear] … [yelling] Don’t worry Dad!

Part of Bonham’s job as a dispatcher is to get a clear understanding as best he can of what kind of condition the people who are involved are in, so first responders can be well-informed. You can hear him getting more information from Savannah about the situation as first responders are still on their way. And of course, her responses are precious:

JB: Can you ask him [her dad] if this has ever happened before?

S: [Calling out] Has this ever happened? [To the dispatcher]No, so far so good. He’s still awake.

JB: Hey, ask him if he has any chest pain.

S: [Calling out] Do you have any chest pain? [To the dispatcher] Yes.

JB: Ok.

S: This is his first time.

JB: Ok. I got ’em on the way, so…

S: Ok. We’re in our jammies! And I’m in a tank top, so… I’ll have to get dressed.

JB: Ok.

S: I don’t [unclear] … what I’m gonna wear, but… he really needs oxygen, real fast. Yes, the door’s unlocked.

JB: Ok!