Jake Martin may have been a boy of few words in front of the Austin City Council on Monday night, but his actions are what brought him there in the first place.

Tuesday, March 06, 2001

Jake Martin may have been a boy of few words in front of the Austin City Council on Monday night, but his actions are what brought him there in the first place.

Jake, 7, was honored by Mayor Bonnie Rietz and Fire Chief Dan Wilson for saving his father’s life on Feb. 10.

His father, Glenn Martin, was washing the family dogs and experienced a flair-up of his asthma.

After he washed the second dog, Jake noticed his father was in trouble.

"He said, ‘You should check on him, Mom,’" Sue said. "Then he said, ‘Come now!’"

"He was watching me and he knew something wasn’t right," Glenn said.

While Sue called 911, Jake ran to get a neighbor. Sue had told him to contact one neighbor, who was not home at the time of the incident. Jake made the decision to knock on the door of Don Hummel, another neighbor and former firefighter.

Hummel ran to Glenn Martin’s aid, and did chest compressions while Sue breathed for her husband. The ambulance arrived in five to seven minutes.

Later, Sue asked Jake why he ran to Hummel’s house. Sue said Jake told her, "Mary wasn’t home and I went and got him (Hummel) because dad told me he is a retired firefighter."

Jake had been exposed to CPR and emergency procedures at the Apple Lane Community Child Care Center and during his time at St. Augustine. Sue has learned the life-saving procedure as well, during employment at REM Woodvale and Cedar Valley Services.

Admitting he was "a little nervous" before the meeting, Jake said, "My mom can tell the story." And she did.

Wilson gave Jake a rescue mask and a personal first aid kit and promised him a tour of the fire station. Rietz honored him as well, presenting him with a city of Austin pin, pad and pen. The council members and audience applauded Jake and his mother for their parts in saving Glenn’s life.

After the meeting, Wilson said of Jake, "He’s an example of what children can do at a young age, if they’re given an opportunity to learn."

"If it wasn’t for you looking out for dad, he wouldn’t have made it," Sue said to Jake, before the meeting.

Dad agrees: "If it wasn’t for 911 and what our kids are taught in school, I might not have made it," said Glenn. "I feel very grateful."

Call Kevira Mertha at 434-2233 or e-mail her at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.