Earlier this week, a Sublette County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) dispatcher became an unlikely birth coach when a family in Pinedale called 911 just before 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15. The mother, expecting her third child, had planned a home birth but labor accelerated far faster than anticipated, leaving the family without the midwife’s arrival.
Dispatcher steps in
Emergency Dispatcher Emery Kemp, a five‑year veteran of the SCSO communications center, answered the frantic call. Recognizing that the baby was already crowning, Kemp immediately dispatched EMS while remaining on the phone to provide step‑by‑step guidance. Using established Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols, Kemp calmly instructed the parents on how to support the mother’s breathing, support the baby’s head, and safely catch the newborn.
Within minutes, the family welcomed a healthy baby girl. SCSO’s press release praised the outcome, noting that the dispatcher’s clear instructions and steady presence were critical to the safe delivery.
Why dispatchers matter
The incident highlights the often‑unseen role of emergency dispatchers in life‑saving moments. While most citizens never see the person on the other end of a 911 call, dispatchers are trained to deliver lifesaving instructions during the most stressful and time‑sensitive situations. SCSO used the event to remind the public that dispatchers are an essential part of the emergency‑response system, capable of guiding families through medical emergencies until professional help arrives.
“Congratulations to the family on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, and congratulations to Dispatcher Emery Kemp on a job exceptionally well done!” the agency said.
Community impact
For a rural community like Sublette County, where distances to hospitals can be significant, the ability of a dispatcher to provide immediate, accurate medical guidance can make the difference between life and tragedy. Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with basic emergency‑medical steps and to trust that trained dispatchers are ready to assist, even over the phone.
The SCSO continues to train its dispatch staff in advanced medical protocols, ensuring that future emergencies—whether a home birth, a cardiac event, or a severe injury—receive the same level of professional support from the first moment a 911 call is placed.
Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.
