MARYSVILLE, Washington (June 20, 2019) – A Marysville mother reunited with the first responders who helped save her son’s life in an emotional award presentation at the Marysville Fire District Board of Director’s meeting Wednesday.

Nyabuony “Nya” Palek also received the Phoenix Award in honor of her own actions on the night of April 8. Just after 11 p.m., she heard a loud noise in the bedroom of her 18-year-old son, William Jallang, and found him unresponsive on the floor. Jallang’s heart had stopped. Palek, who is a professional nurse, called 911.

“My skills as a nurse left me that night,” Palek said. “I was just a mother.”

Snohomish County 911 dispatcher John Chenoweth coached Palek through performing CPR on her son during the crucial minutes before first responders arrived. Marysville firefighters, Marysville Police, and Getchell (Fire District 22) firefighters worked together to move Jallang to an open area where Marysville paramedics delivered life-saving treatment. Jallang was transported to a hospital and has since fully recovered.

“You saved my boy,” Palek said as she thanked emergency responders. “It wasn’t me. It was you.”

In addition to Palek, Marysville Fire Chief Martin McFalls presented the Phoenix Award to:

Snohomish County 911 Dispatcher John Chenoweth

Marysville Firefighter/Paramedic Hunter Day

Marysville Firefighter/Paramedic Trevor Trueax

Marysville Battalion Chief Aaron Soper

Marysville Captain Basil Bailey

Marysville Firefighter Susan Carver

Marysville Firefighter Mikael Fox-Ramey

Getchell Firefighter Evan Smith

Getchell Firefighter Nicholas Lathrop

Getchell Firefighter Costas Thomkins-Zweekhorst

Marysville Police Sergeant Peter Shove

Marysville Police Officer Franklin Nelson

Wednesday, the Marysville Fire District also swore in two fulltime firefighters. Tyler Goarck previously served eight years as a volunteer Getchell firefighter. Goarck grew up in Edmonds and graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a degree in Business Administration. Firefighter Kyle Eisele joins the Marysville Fire District after serving in Kittitas County Fire District 7. Eisele and his wife are expecting a baby any day.