Gurnee dispatcher honored for work in baby delivery

Gurnee emergency dispatcher Molly Jones was formally praised by the village board Monday evening for her work in helping a woman deliver a baby in a Ford Explorer off the Tri-State Tollway in September.

"There are more positive than negative things that happen in dispatch," Jones said as she received a plaque commending her work.

Ashley Guzman, 20, and her boyfriend, Daniel Harris, both of Hanover Park, were shopping at Gurnee Mills on Sept. 27 when the woman began having contractions.

Guzman's mother, Charmane Barnes, quickly departed with everyone in the Ford Explored in an effort to reach St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where her daughter was supposed to deliver the baby.

They made it as far as the tollway's Milwaukee Avenue exit when they stopped to call 911 to summon paramedics. Rescue crews arrived within 6 minutes of receiving the call, but 4-pound Jayda Harris had already entered the world.

Jones talked to Guzman and guided the birth during the 911 call. After determining the child had been born and was breathing, Jones provided instructions that allowed Harris to tie the umbilical cord with a shoelace and keep the mother warm.

Gurnee paramedics cut the cord, treated the mother and brought her and the baby to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Police Chief Robert Jones praised the dispatcher for her calmness and professionalism during the call. The chief and the dispatcher are not related.

"She went above and beyond," the chief said.

Authorities said 911 operators are trained in emergency medical dispatch. After asking certain questions to pinpoint a medical emergency, a dispatcher is supposed to use directions on a set of medically approved cards to direct a caller in providing first aid to someone until paramedics arrive.

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