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MANSFIELD - When Karen Privett collapsed onto the floor while checking on her young son at 3 a.m. a few weeks ago, Privett's oldest child, Paige, took charge.

Paige called 911 and explained the situation to Mansfield Public Safety Dispatcher Chris Campbell, making sure to point out their house's confusing location on the corner of two streets. While Paige stayed on the phone with Campbell and waited for the ambulance to come, she checked on her two younger brothers, 8-year-old Cole and 4-year-old Jake. When paramedics arrived, Paige led them upstairs to her mother, who was already reviving.

The amazing part? Paige is 10.

"It is really remarkable," said Mansfield Fire Lt. Neal Boldrighini, who will become the town's fire chief in January. "People sometimes do remarkable things," but Paige's levelheadedness was amazing for someone so young, Boldrighini said.

Karen's husband John, who was at work on an overnight shift when his wife collapsed, met his family at the hospital. Doctors there said Karen Privett had experienced a vasovagal episode - basically, a fainting spell triggered by a sudden rush of oxygen to the brain when Karen got up quickly. In recognition of Paige's calm response to her mother's fainting spell, the Jordan-Jackson Elementary School fifth-grader was given a Young Hero Award by the State Fire Marshal's office in a ceremony at the school Friday.

Reflecting on the experience, Paige said, "It felt weird that it was happening, because I never really imagined it would happen. There are so many people in the world that I never figured it would happen to me."

Karen, feeling fine and beaming with pride, added: "She's extremely responsible."

Paige Privett is the 13th Mansfield resident to receive one of the awards, which since 1995 have been given to young Bay Staters nominated by their home fire departments. Mansfield has more Young Heroes than any other community, according to Deputy State Fire Marshal Tom Leonard - himself a Mansfield resident.

The reason Paige knew what to do, she said, was because of a safety presentation made to her fourth-grade class last spring by Mansfield Firefighters John Brunelli and Kevin Fontes.

The two men are part of an education program run out of the State Fire Marshal's office that Leonard says has achieved remarkable results. Only one Massachusetts child died in a fire last year, Leonard said, compared to 20 or 30 before the education program began.

Friday's events were a heady experience for Paige, a poised and articulate young lady dressed in a skirt and tights for Friday's ceremony. The Privett family rode to school in a fire truck - the best part of the day, Paige's brother Cole said - and she received a large plaque and a number of mementos at the ceremony.

Asked if there was any special treat she would like to celebrate her award - an ice cream cone or a dinner out were suggested - Paige replied: "I wouldn't pick anything but just knowing that my mom's OK and healthy."

Spoken like a Young Hero.

TED NESI covers Mansfield for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at tnesi@thesunchronicle.com or 508-236-0434.