Santa calms frightened children

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - This Christmas, Santa will be taking calls from children who are frightened or worried after being involved in incidents that result in 911 calls. He will be available to talk at all hours of the day and night December 22nd through noon on Christmas Day and is available by radio to all EMS providers, Police and Fire personnel.

Virginia Beach EMS began sponsoring the Santa on the Air program in 2004 as a way to help children cope with the anxiety that may result from an emergency situation during the Christmas season. The program has been so successful that in 2011, it expanded into Norfolk, and this season it will also be available through Chesapeake Fire and Police Departments, as well as the Hampton Roads Navy Regional Fire/Rescue Service.

"North Pole-1" is Santa's call sign that first responders use when contacting Santa over the radio through Virginia Beach EMS. In many instances, the first responder will phone Santa first to provide details of the situation, making the child's radio conversation more effective. Children are then assisted with using the radio to talk to Santa as he offers words of encouragement through an experience that may be extremely scary.

Last year, one call to "North Pole-1" was from siblings, ages five and 10, whose mother had fainted. The mother recovered quickly, but the children were noticeably upset, particularly the 10-year-old who had dialed 911. After hearing Santa's "Ho! Ho! Ho!" on the radio, their faces lit up, and Santa gave them accolades for having the courage to make the emergency call.

At the end of each holiday season, Santa turns in a log of calls he's received, which act as a written testament to the need for the program and the cheer it brings to young people in the community. The longtime Virginia Beach EMS volunteer who is the backbone of Santa on the Air insists on remaining anonymous. For now, we will simply call him "Santa."