Posted March 31, 2022
Lily Palmer, her family, and members of the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, Granville 911, Granville Emergency Medical Services, Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, and Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department
On March 25, Lily Palmer, her family, and local officials gathered at the Granville County Law Enforcement Center to celebrate Lily’s life and the efforts of her step-brother, Elijah, her brother Luke, Granville County 911 Emergency Communications, the Granville County Sheriff’s Office, Granville Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department, and Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department who all played a critical role in saving Lily’s life earlier this year.
On February 4, 2022, Elijah found his stepsister lying unresponsive and not breathing at their home. Elijah called 911, and Telecommunicator Jordan Robinson answered the call. As Jordan was processing the call, she began giving CPR instructions to Elijah while another Telecommunicator continued the dispatch process and sent first responders from EMS, two local volunteer fire departments, and the Sheriff’s Office to the scene. Deputy Jacob Cash was the first to arrive on the scene and took over CPR administration began so calmly and bravely by Elijah.
Soon after Deputy Cash arrived, members of the Corinth Volunteer Fire Department and Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department arrived at Lily’s home. Deputy Cash and these firefighters rotated administering CPR until paramedics arrived from EMS stations in Wilton and Creedmoor. Throughout the incident, Lily’s brother Luke was able to give their mother updates over the phone while first responders continued their life-saving work. Deputy Jessica Laws was next to arrive on the scene and used her training as a School Resource Officer to console the family as they waited for the next steps. EMS paramedics and firefighters were able to load Lily into the ambulance and transport her to a local hospital for further treatment.
“Lily’s story did not end that day,” said 911 Emergency Communications Director Trent Brummitt. “Because of the team effort of all the people here today, be it family, volunteer fire fighters, law enforcement, telecommunicators, or paramedics, Lily is still here with us.”
Tony Cozart, Chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners presented Lily, her family, and all the first responders present with a Granville County 275th Anniversary Coin as a token of gratitude. Vice-Chair Russ May and Commissioner Zelodis Jay also offered words of thanks for the hard work of all involved and appreciation for the work of all who made sure that Lily was still here with us.
Granville County would like to take this opportunity to remind all citizens to always call 911 in case of emergency so that our telecommunicator professionals can dispatch appropriate agencies to the scene. Life saving measures like CPR are easy to learn, and residents are encouraged to take classes certified by the American Heart Association (https://cpr.heart.org/en/). These simple steps can save the life of a loved one.