ATHOL — It could have been a very different Christmas 2018 for the Bussiere family of Athol, had not 5-year-old Sophia Bussiere quickly and calmly made the telephone call which, in the opinion of Athol Fire Department EMS Coordinator Kevin Kaczmarczyk, saved the life of the little girl’s mother.
Thursday afternoon, Athol Firefighters Local 1751 feted Sophia for her actions. Union President Jamal Hamilton presented her with a plaque before taking her and her family on a tour of the fire station and treating them and several first responders to a pizza party.
According to a statement from Kaczmarczyk, the Athol Fire Department ambulance was dispatched to the Bussiere’s Park Street residence at around 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18. Kaczmarczyk said firefighter/EMTs “encountered a female patient located in her apartment, very lethargic, and unable to respond to questions…due to her medical condition.”
Sophia had found her mother Elizabeth lying on the couch and became concerned when the woman failed to respond to Sophia calling her name. Once she realized something was seriously wrong, Sophia managed to find a nearby cell phone and immediately called her father, Adam, who was at work at the time. He in turn called 911 to summon help for his wife who, according to the statement, had suffered a diabetic emergency.
“If Sophia hadn’t recognized this medical emergency,” said Kaczmarczyk, “this situation could have progressed to something much worse. I believe Sophia deserves to be recognized for her heroism and bravery.”
Several firefighters who wanted to personally congratulate Sophia ended up arriving at Thursday’s party a little late. As is the nature of the job, they were called away for a medical emergency just before the quick-thinking girl received her plaque from Hamilton.
They did, however, manage to get back to the station in enough time to wish her and her parents well, and to meet several other thankful family members.