Quinn Battaini-Barnaby, 7, poses with dispatcher MaryAnn King on Friday after being honored for helping EMTs get to her mom, who has having difficulty breathing.
Sgt. Preston Kelly, left, Quinn's dad Lucas Barnaby, Police Chief Jason Wood, Quinn, MaryAnn King, Mayor Jennifer Macksey, Joanne Battaini, Quinn's sister Janessa Battaini, Lt. Anthony Beverly and Northern Berkshire EMS chief John Meaney Jr.
Quinn with Mayor Jennifer Macksey as MaryAnn King reads her 'All Star' certificate.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Joanne Battaini couldn't get the words out when she called 911 for help last month. As she struggled to breath, her 7-year-old daughter came to her rescue.
Quinn Battaini-Barnaby calmly took the phone and gave dispatcher MaryAnn King the correct address so emergency medical services could come to her mother's aid.
"She was a real trooper," King said on Friday as Quinn was presented with a certificate from Police Chief Jason Wood designating her a 911 Emergency All-Star Kid. "We are all so very proud of you."
"You're a hero," said Sgt. Preston Kelly.
The Colegrove Park student quietly accepted the accolades from police officer and Mayor Jennifer Macksey but her eyes really lit up as she pulled wrapping from a Barbie and Care Bear that King gave her.
Battaini was proud of her young daughter, saying she was brought up not to be afraid of police and first responders and to taught what to do in an emergency.
"I couldn't breath at all. I'm having trouble breathing now," she said. "We got her ready for something like that because of my health. ...
"She's my girl. She's a good helper at school, too. She gets picked to be the class helper all the time."
King said she really couldn't understand what Battaini was trying to say when she called 911 and because she lived within an area of several close apartment blocks, King's virtual map couldn't pinpoint the address.
"I'm thinking in my head, oh my god, you know, this is gonna be a delay. I need to get people there," King said. She could hear there was someone else in the room and asked Battaini to put that person on. "So she came on and it was so cute, this little voice comes on and says, 'hello.' And I said, 'hi, who are you?' And she says, 'I'm Quinny. I'm 7 years old.'"
Quinn knew what to do when she talked to King giving her the address and staying on the line while waiting for the EMTs. And she wasn't afraid when the ambulance came.
"You know what she remembers most about it? She says, 'I remember I got to go in an ambulance,'" Battaini smiled. "Not that her mom was out of breath. Or that I was in distress. She remembers the ambulance ride."
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
click for more