Katrina Hatfield, 8, reacted quickly after her father Paul struck his head on a bench at home during an epileptic fit, collapsing in a pool of blood.

She rang 000 and sheltered her younger brother and sister - who were distressed by the sight of their unconscious father - at her next-door neighbours' home.

At a presentation at Springvale South's ambulance branch last Thursday, paramedic Jasmine Lindsay said Katrina's calm, quick actions were life-saving.

Ms Lindsay told the Journal that she hadn't witnessed such cool actions from someone as young as Katrina.

"When we got there, Paul was in an altered consciousness. It was a case of every minute counted."

As well as receiving a certificate from Ambulance Victoria, Katrina and her siblings enjoyed ringing the sirens in an ambulance and a fire engine.

Mr Hatfield said Katrina had been taught from as young as age three to dial 000 in case he had an epileptic fit.

"They're used to me having the fit, but we were hoping that it wouldn't happen with me just alone with her."