COEUR d’ALENE — Shannon Martin said she’s not much for giving speeches, but Tuesday night, with son Jerimiah at her side, she spoke straight from the heart.

“Your guys in the fire department and EMS system are just absolutely wonderful,” she told the Coeur d’Alene City Council. “If it was not for their quick response, he would not be sitting here today.”

“If it wasn’t for them, I would be missing a family member today,” Martin added.

But he was there, thanks to several members of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department, emergency communications officers and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue personnel, who received  Awards of Exemplary Action for their efforts Oct. 8 when 9-year-old Jerimiah nearly choked to death after a bottle cap became lodged in his throat.

While paramedic Sean Liebelt was grateful to be recognized, he said what really mattered was helping a boy in trouble.

“He can grow up, have a family and do all these things we all want to do one day,” Liebelt said.

Shannon Martin said their family went to City Park that day and then walked at City Beach. When they went to leave, Jeremiah suddenly slumped over, fell out of the car and began choking and vomiting.

His mom called 911 and spoke to emergency communications officer Haleigh Frank.

“If it wasn’t for the 911 dispatcher I don’t think I would have been able to maintain my cool,” Martin said. “I was losing my mind. She really helped walk me through it.”

Emergency communications officer Stephanie Olson dispatched responding units and updated them with information. Liebelt and paramedic Chad Matchell with the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department arrived within minutes.

“I've never seen emergency personnel get out of a truck so fast,” Martin said. 

Tim Martin, Jerimiah’s dad, said it was one of those situations in which you’re in shock, so you don’t have time to be scared.

He said the responders were “impressively calm at taking care of the situation. They did a great job. They knew what they had to do, and did it.”

Matchell said they arrived to find a child struggling to breathe. They carefully loaded him in the ambulance, concerned the bottle cap could shift and cause a full-airway obstruction.

About then, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Engine 14 arrived. Capt. Andrew Kaplan assisted Matchell and Liebelt in the back of the ambulance. Firefighter/paramedic Cameron Taylor drove the ambulance while Engineer Colter Smart drove the fire engine.

During transport to Kootenai Health, Jerimiah was initially stable and talking, but then the bottle cap moved and completely blocked his ability to breathe, Matchell said. 

The boy began to gasp.

“At that point he was moving zero air,” Matchell said.

Matchell quickly performed the Heimlich maneuver and with one thrust, the bottle cap popped out and Liebelt caught it, “like a baseball."

Jerimiah made a full recovery.

Tuesday night he wasn’t too talkative, but he was feeling great and thanked those who saved him.

His mom said he had a habit of opening water bottles with his teeth and when he did it that day, the cap became lodged in his throat.

Asked if he would continue opening bottles that way, Jeremiah shook his head.

“Nope.”

Tim Martin said Jerimiah is a good, energetic kid.

“He never stops moving,” he said. "It’s hard to keep up with him. He’s got more energy than anyone I know.”

Those honored Tuesday were Frank, Olson, Liebelt, Matchell, Kaplan, Taylor and Smart.

“These types of emergency calls take several individuals and often several different agencies working together to have such a positive outcome,” said Coeur d’Alene Fire Department EMS Officer Steven Jones.

Matchell said training and experience made the difference.

“We were able to intervene quickly and reverse the outcome. Now, he’s here,” he said of Jerimiah. “He’s alive.”

Matchell also credited team effort.

“This would not have gone this way if all our agencies didn’t work together. That’s why we had a good outcome,” he said. “Everybody worked together and it was seamless.”

Tim Martin said the responders deserve to be honored and shook their hands.

“I’m glad these guys are getting the recognition they deserve,” he said.

Shannon Martin smiled as she gave out hugs.

“I am incredibly thankful for my son being here today,” she said.

    Tim Martin shakes the hand of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Capt. Andrew Kaplan while Shannon Martin looks on at City Hall on Tuesday.
  

    Jerimiah Martin was the center of attention at Coeur d'Alene City Hall on Tuesday.
  

    Family and friends crowd together as they photograph first responders with Jerimiah Martin on Tuesday.