An 11-year-old girl helped set a rescue in motion after her mother collapsed at home: Alice called 911 and got her father home to begin CPR while first responders headed to the scene. Her mother made a full recovery, and city leaders recognized Alice for her role.
West Jordan City Hall said in a Facebook post that Alice called 911 after her mother collapsed, then got her father home to perform CPR. West Jordan fire and police units responded. In its account of the emergency, West Jordan City said responders used a new cardiac monitor to help keep Alice's mother stable on the way to the hospital.
The City Hall post said Fire Chief Maxfield presented Whitney with an Amazing Star Award for her courage. The responding crew received an Amazing Save Award.
How common is bystander CPR?
Healthy People 2030 lists the national bystander-CPR rate for non-traumatic cardiac arrests at 41.7 percent in 2024. That figure is national, not a Utah-specific rate, and does not provide a survival comparison.
New Equipment Rolled Out Fleetwide This Year
The cardiac monitor used during Alice's mother's emergency is part of a broader equipment upgrade in West Jordan. The city funded eight new cardiac monitors in 2026, with one now placed on every fire truck and ambulance in the department's fleet, per the same Facebook post.
The city said one monitor was placed on each fire truck and ambulance in the department's fleet.
A Pattern of Recognizing Everyday Heroes in Utah
West Jordan's recognition of a child who helped a parent during a cardiac emergency comes amid other Utah stories about people responding to similar crises. The Park Record reported that a hospital recently honored first responders who helped save the life of an 8-year-old Henefer resident. FOX 13 News reported that officials urged residents to take CPR training after an off-duty nurse helped save a child in Eagle Mountain.
Citizen Portal also reported that Utah County honored bystanders, first responders and hospital staff after a soccer player's on-field cardiac arrest. These cases highlight the role that people nearby can play during a medical emergency.
