Second-Grader Calls 9-1-1, Proves a Hero to His Great-Grandmother

Firefighters are crediting a San Clemente second-grader with help saving the life of his 101-year-old great-grandmother.

Earlier this month, Emilio Cisneros, who attends Las Palmas Elementary, was home with his grandmother and great-grandmother when the latter started to have some sort of medical emergency, said Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

His grandmother told him to call 9-1-1, and Cisneros was able to calmly explain what was happening, Concialdi. Then, the dispatcher gave him instructions on what his grandmother should be doing.

“He was able to use his English and Spanish skills to translate between the dispatcher and the grandmother, who was tending to the great-grandmother,” Concialdi said.

Cisneros is part of Las Palmas’ Two-Way Spanish immersion program.

“We are so proud of Emilio!” said Las Palmas Principal Kristen Nelson.

The firefighters are too and came to Cisnero’s school to present him a certificate of achievement, Nelson said.

“They talked to the students about how he made the right decision and knew his address, etc. His grandmother was the one who told us about it. His peers think of him as a hero and were amazed at his humbleness and kindness,” she said.

And the great-grandmother? “She’s actually doing well now,” Concialdi said.