Guest blog by Dare to be Great 3 Silver Sponsor the Kyle Plush Answer the Call Foundation

Kyle Plush, a vibrant 16-year-old high school sophomore, died from asphyxiation while trapped in his family van on April 10, 2018. Kyle did all he could during that time to save his life. His arms were pinned when the rear seat in his van flipped. Twice he called Cincinnati’s communications center 9-1-1 through voice-activated SIRI on his iPhone. SIRI was the only way Kyle could make a call since he could not reach his cell phone in his pants pocket. During these two 9-1-1 calls, he gave his name, location in the Seven Hills School parking lot, the model and color of the van he was in, and urgent pleas for help because he knew he was dying.

Unfortunately, those desperate calls did not prevent Kyle’s death. The 9-1-1 dispatchers and police did not locate him, and his father found him hours after he died—nearly 6 hours after Kyle’s first 9-1-1 call.

Kyle would have focused on solutions to improve the 9-1-1 system. He would not have seen the barriers or made excuses for why things can’t be done (resources, money, infrastructure). Kyle’s family and the country, especially those who have the power to make nationwide change to the 9-1-1 system, owe it to Kyle to make sure these solutions are implemented to save lives when a loved one calls 9-1-1 in a life-threatening emergency.

Kyle’s parents, Jill and Ron Plush, co-founded the Kyle Plush Answer The Call Foundation in August 2018 in Kyle’s memory to “Uplift families and communities to live their best lives and advocate for common sense public policy that fosters safer, friendlier, and more resilient communities” and to encourage 9-1-1 professionals to “Answer The Call To Be Their Best Self Every Day”, the way Kyle lived his life.

The KPATC Foundation is focused on improving the emergency response in Cincinnati and across the United States.

Jill and Ron and many dedicated KPATC foundation volunteers have visited over 100+ emergency communication centers across the country to share Kyle’s story and express their appreciation and encouragement with 911 professionals. They also give speeches to county leaders to advocate for continuous improvement in the people, processes and technology in 9-1-1 centers to influence change to prevent future tragedies.

If you are interested in a visit to your center (if close, in-person or far away, virtually, with box of goodies mailed ahead of time) send us your information through our website (link below).

And if you would like to nominate a 911 employee for “Answering The Call To Be Their Best Self” for recognition / KPATC Challenge Coin click on the following link and fill out the form on our website with your ECC centers information.

Kyle Plush Answer The Call Foundation

On June 8, 2021 from 11:15am -12:15pm, Jill Plush, with The Kyle Plush Answer The Call Foundation, and Tracy Eldridge with “On Scene First”, will share the details of Kyle Plush's two 911 calls for help and the action taken by the Cincinnati 911 ECC and the Cincinnati Police in response to his calls. We will explain why it is important for all telecommunicators and first responders to BE YOUR BEST SELF on each and every call.

Join us LIVE during Dare To Be Great 3 for this motivating and lessons learned presentation.

“Answer The Call To Be Your Best Self On Each and Every Call You Take”

#DTBG3 June 8, 2021 11:15am-12:15pm

If you can’t join us live, we will share a link to the presentation with you.