Posts Tagged ‘personal safety’

Saving Lives and Property: Ricardo Navarrete

Late one night, Emergency Dispatcher Operator Ricardo Navarrete received a silent hold-up button alarm from a convenience store in California. He knew that hold-up alarms can mean pretty scary situations for our customers. Without delay he called the police and with lights flashing and sirens blaring they raced to the store.

Once there, the officers took caution while approaching the store. With skill and precision they were able to apprehend a suspect who was in the process of robbing the clerk. Shocked that he had been caught, the suspect was quickly handcuffed and taken to jail where he was booked for the crime.

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

Later when we talked to our customer, he was well pleased with Ricardo’s quick response that saved the day. He said “Thank you Monitronics, great work.”

Saving Lives and Property: Tara Taylor

On a recent afternoon, Ms. Gauthier was home and getting chores done. Around 4:30 she heard the washer stop and she moved the clothes to the dryer. She started the cycle then went back to the kitchen to mop the floors.

At Monitronics, Emergency Dispatch Operator Tara Taylor received a hallway fire alarm from the Gauthier residence. She quickly accessed the intercom and an out of breath Ms. Gauthier answered. She said, “My dryer is on fire!” Tara instructed, “Leave the house and I’ll send the fire department!” Ms. Gauthier, who began to cough and choke from the smoke, hesitated because she wanted to check out the fire. But Tara again instructed her to leave the house. At that point, Ms. Gauthier took the advice and fled the house.

In just minutes the fire department and an ambulance met Ms. Gauthier on the front lawn. She told them where the fire was. What the firemen found was a porch totally engulfed in flames. As thick, black smoke was filling the house the firemen battled the blaze and thankfully they were successful in keeping the fire from spreading any further.

AFTER THE EMERGENCY

We called Ms. Gauthier after the fire. She told us, “The fire started at the back wall of the porch in the dryer. The room was gutted and it has to be rebuilt. There’s also a lot of smoke damage to all the rooms of the house and I lost a lot of clothes but I’m so grateful my house was saved.” She also said “The operator that called me on my fire alarm treated me wonderfully. She convinced me I needed to get out of the house. I’m very satisfied with my alarm and the service I received. Thank you and great job!”

A BIG THANK YOU TO:

Tara Taylor, Central Station Operator since January 14, 2011

Maximum Security, installed Ms Gauthier alarm on September 26, 2008

Saving Lives and Property: Roslyn Felton



Roslyn Felton

Recently, when third shift Emergency Dispatch Operator, Roslyn Felton received a fire alarm from the R. Kist residence she quickly called the home but no one answered. Without delay Roslyn called the fire department and they arrived to find food burning on the stove and the kitchen filled with smoke. The fire was quickly put out, saving the Kist home.

After the Emergency

We later learned that Mr. Kist had put his dinner on the stove to cook and stepped out. He began a conversation with a neighbor and lost track of time. Thankfully the home had no smoke damage and the Mr. Kist was very thankful for the quick response.

Kudos Roselyn, You’ve represented Monitronics very well!

Saving Lives and Property: Steve Millhorn

Steve Millhorn

Steve Millhorn had just started his shift when he received a medical alarm from the S. Coe residence. He called over the intercom system and learned that Ms. Coe had fallen from her wheelchair and injured her head and back. Without delay, Steve recruited a nearby coworker to dispatch help for him while he stayed on the intercom with our frightened customer.

Within just a few minutes the paramedics arrived and Steve ended the call knowing Ms. Coe was in good hands. After her evaluation was complete, the paramedics concluded that Ms. Coe needed to be transported to the nearest hospital.

After the Emergency

We spoke to Ms. Coe a couple days later. She said “I’m 71 years old and I live alone. I had decided it was time to get dressed so when I stood up from my wheelchair to take my pajamas off, I lost my balance. I fell hard and hurt my back and hit my head. Thank goodness I was wearing my medical pendant as a bracelet because all I could do is move one finger to press the button. I was so relieved when, seconds later, I heard a voice asking me if I needed help.

Ms. Coe went on to say “I was in the emergency room for about six hours and after I had an MRI and several tests, I was released. Thankfully I had no serious injuries and nothing is broken.”  She continued to say “I’m so glad to have Monitronics. I always say good things about your company to my friends—especially the ones around my age.” She told us that she’s on a fixed income and in the next month she’ll have to choose between her alarm being monitored and cable. She said “of course I will choose Monitronics because there are days before anyone comes by my home. The thought of needing help and not being able to get to a phone is a very scary. Thank you, Monitronics, for being there for me.”

The truth is life’s unexpected moments can unsettle our lives but thanks to Monitronics’ awarding winning Central Station and its Diamond Certified Operators Ms. Coe’s harrowing experience had a great outcome.

Steve has been serving and protecting Monitronics customers over eleven years.  His service excellence and dedication for providing our customers the best possible care is evident on a daily basis.

A BIG THANK YOU TO:

Steve Millhorn, Central Station Operator since January 03, 2000

American Defense Systems installed Ms. Coe’s alarm on January 11, 2011

Swim Safely

Our greatest protection from tragedy, while playing in the surf, is prevention. We could all benefit from adopting and practicing as many safety steps as possible. Here are a few tips to begin now for anytime you decide to splash around.

 
 Stay close, be alert, and watch. 
  • Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings 
  •  Always watch your children and never leave them unattended
  •  Have a phone close by at all times
  • If a child is missing, check the pool first

 Learn and Practice Water Safety Skills

  • Learn to swim
  • Know how to perform CPR on children and adults

Have the Appropriate Equipment

  • Install a fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa of at least four feet in height
  • Use self-closing and self-latching gates
  • Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers
  • Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area
  • Maintain pool and spa covers in working order
  • Have life-saving equipment such as life rings or reaching poles available for use