IFD Unknowingly Helps 2 Members Of Same Family, On Same Day

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A family connection was recently made following two medical emergencies involving assistance from Indianapolis Fire Department Dispatchers. According to IFD, two IFD Dispatchers unknowingly assisted two members of the same family, on the same day, as the calls happened at 8:44 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11. That morning, IFD Dispatcher Betty Sanders received the 8:44 a.m. call from a home in the 2800 block of Caroline Avenue. According to IFD, the female caller, Linda Journey, said her mother might be in cardiac arrest and needed help, so dispatcher Betty Sanders sent crews to the home, and directed Linda to perform hands-only CPR until help arrived.

When crews got to the home, they assessed Lula Journey, 84, and discovered she wasn't in cardiac arrest, but suffered a "significant medical episode" that needed immediate attention, IFD said. Lula was taken to Methodist Hospital, and is doing well as she continues her recovery at a rehab center, IFD said. In addition, the family told IFD that prior to the recent incident, Lula had never been sick or in the hospital.

According to IFD, dispatcher Kris Mayfield helped 10-year-old Haley McKinney at 9:30 p.m. when the girl called because her mother wasn't breathing. Mayfield helped direct McKinney, who had to give her mother CPR.

IFD said during a meet-and-greet with the Journey Family Saturday morning, Feb. 23, IFD pointed out they had another meet and greet Friday with a dispatcher and a young girl (Kris Mayfield and Haley McKinney). According to IFD, it was discovered that the two families are related, as Linda, Callie, Marilyn and Haley’s mom are cousins. The connection was made after Callie mentioned Haley’s mom’s name and said they were on their way to visit her, IFD said.

Even further connecting the story, IFD said both families are related to the wife of IFD Deputy Chief Fred Pervine, as Becky Pervine’s father is Linda, Callie and Marilyn’s uncle and Becky’s mother is Haley’s mom’s aunt.

IFD added that the family told firefighters that Lula was a district 10 City County Councilor from 1978 to 1983, and for 24 years was a VP at Health and Hospital. She spent 43 years working for the courts at the City County Building and recently retired, IFD said, adding that Lula also played a major role in getting the new Sydney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital in operation.