There when you need them

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure — if you want to call it that — of calling 911.
Connor had fallen, bumped his head and started crying. Just as suddenly, he passed out. Of course, my husband and I were panicked and I immediately picked up the phone while Corey worked to make sure Connor came to and didn’t go to sleep.
I never expected to really need to call 911. I’ve got the number to the police department dispatch on speed dial, and I figured it would be easier to just call them than to call the emergency number and get transferred around.
Not the case that particular Tuesday evening. 911 was the number to call. I dialed the number and spoke to an operator, explaining that my son, who is 14 months old, had fallen and we thought he had bumped his head and passed out. They were very nice, and said someone would be out shortly.
About the time I hung up the phone, Connor was coming around. Corey had stripped him down to his diaper and put him under the fan to cool him off. At the same time, we heard the sirens, getting closer and closer.
It seriously was not one minute later when an ambulance from Cabarrus County had pulled in front of our house, as well as Engine No. 21 and battalion chief. I got kind of embarrassed, because by this time, Connor was already smiling and anxious to get a look at what was making all that noise.
But I’m still glad I called 911 and I got to experience first-hand exactly how fast our first responders are in Kannapolis. Turns out Connor had simply held his breath and passed out from that. There wasn’t even a bump on the little stinker.
Joanie Morris is editor of the Kannapolis Citizen. She can be reached at 704-932-3336 or at her house, keeping a close eye on her rambunctious son.