Vandalia child hailed hero

VANDALIA, Ohio (WDTN) - A Vandalia first-grader is being hailed a hero, after coming to the rescue of his grandmother.

Helke Elementary School student Zachary Page dialed 911 on December 21, 2012. He was at home when his grandmother had fallen ill and there was no one to help.

"When I called 911, I was really nervous," stated Zachary.

However, Zachary didn't let his nerves get the best of him. When paramedics arrived, Zachary greeted them in the driveway and led them inside the home to his grandmother.

Zachary says he learned the skills through a school safety program called "Passport to Safety." The Vandalia Police Department and Vandalia Fire Department, along with the city, hold the program every year for kindergartners. 

"They're taught various safety things, stranger danger, water, safety, bus safety, fire safety," stated Vandalia Fire Chief Chad Follick.

Through the program, students are also taught what to do in an emergency.

"This young man really embodied the reason why we do the program, " Follick said. "If you can save one or two or three lives with that program, it pays dividends forever."

At a school assembly Monday, Zachary was awarded a civilian medal for his bravery. He was also presented a proclamation from the mayor.

Zachary said he's proud of his actions, but he's glad his grandmother is okay.

"She's doing fine. There's nothing wrong with anything," said Zachary.

The mayor of Vandalia has proclaimed Tuesday, February 5 as "Zachary Page Day" in the city.

*** Editor's note: When this story was originally published, Helke Elementary School student Zachary Page was identified as being in Kindergarten, when in fact he is in First Grade.