Dispatcher Chelsea Duncan was recognized by Tarrant County 9-1-1 District for her efforts during a baby delivery on 9-1-1.
On May 5, Chelsea Duncan received a 9-1-1 call, "Hi, my wife is about to give birth at home. I don't think we can make it to the hospital." Dispatcher Duncan immediately entered the call for paramedics to respond and turned to the intricate training she's received. Dispatchers are required to take Emergency Medical Dispatch. The training guides the call taker through providing instructions to the caller for the given medical event. Chelsea remained calm, providing valuable directions throughout the delivery while simultaneously gathering information for responding paramedics. Chelsea shares, ”All I knew was, the person I was talking to was panicking, and I needed to not add to it. So, I took a breath and relied on my training. Hearing that baby cry, I could breathe a sigh of relief and wait for my medics to arrive and take over.”
Technical Services Captain Melissa Andrews praised her dispatch team, "While our dispatchers undergo months of rigorous training, they must also be the voice of compassion in a caller’s time of need. They must remember each call is unique and may be the first time that person has ever had to call 911. Chelsea is the type of dispatcher and person you want answering your call for help. She is the calm voice that shows compassion and guidance to those she works with and assists over the phone."