Audio: Dispatcher's assistance in 911 birth praised

TAMPA -- The panic and cries pouring into communications centers are times of great stress to callers but all in a day's work for emergency dispatchers.

Diana Donaldson's call was no exception. Her daughter Jacquell, 19 years old and nine months pregnant, went into labor at her North Tampa home back in February.

With emergency medical dispatcher Cheryl Richter's help, Donaldson put the phone on speaker mode and helped deliver a baby and forever connected three generations with a single phone call.

[Audio courtesy Tampa Fire Rescue]

City Fire Rescue officials are using the birth to highlight National Telecommunicators Week, a weeklong tribute to the unsung heroes of trauma and emergencies everywhere.

Included in Donaldson's conversation with Richter are calm but direct instructions on how to assist in her granddaughter's delivery.

"You've got to support the baby's head and shoulders and hold her kicks and legs firmly," Richter tells Donaldson. "I know she's in pain, but we've to to do this to help the baby and help you're daughter."

"Remember the baby's going to be slippery. You don't want to drop it."

Screams.

"I got it!" Donaldson says.

Born but not breathing, Richter then instructs the women to wipe the baby's face with a clean towel.
Cries are heard. Then relief.

Today, the Donaldsons will visit Tampa Fire Rescue communications, where they will meet Richter for the first time.

Casey Cora, Times staff writer