A 9-1-1 dispatcher with Pottawattamie County Communications received a Life Saving Award, Thursday, for her role in saving the life of a man suffering from cardiac issues.

Pott Co. Communications Operator Elizabeth Cleveland (Center) (Photo from the Pott. Co. Sheriff’s Office Facebook page)

Operator Elizabeth Cleveland answered a 911 line during the early morning hours of October 16th. A frantic female caller said her dad was having trouble breathing. While rescue was being dispatched, Cleveland spent 9 minutes on the phone keeping the caller calm and giving her instructions for CPR, until help could arrive.

Cleveland also repeated instructions when the caller’s mother took over compressions, giving positive reinforcement and counting with her. She remained on the line giving instructions until she could hear a Deputy on scene using an Automated External Defibrillator. Lewis Township Rescue transported the patient to Jennie Edmundson Hospital at around 12:30-a.m. A diagnosis revealed the patient had suffered from a neurological event which lead to cardiopulmonary arrest. He was discharged from the hospital a few days later.

The award was presented in conjunction with National Telecommunications Week.