(911 call) "What's your emergency?," asked Ventura County Public Safety dispatcher Annmarie Cafuentes. "My daughter's in labor," replied Magdalane Gonzales-Robinson.
911 dispatchers hear just about every kind of emergency call you can imagine. But, this was a tough one. There was no way firefighters would get to a home in Ventura County before this woman gave birth. So, Cafuentes guided the pregnant woman’s mother through the process.
(911 call) "Listen, very important, I need you to get some dry towels, and a blanket to wrap the baby in," said Cafuentes. "Get a clean string to tie around the umbilical cord after delivery...now we are going to go ahead and deliver that baby."
The Ventura County 911 dispatcher helped Magdalane Gonzales-Robinson keep her cool.
(911 call) "Is the baby completely out now?, asked Cafuentes. "Yes," replied the grandmother. "She's breathing!"
"You did amazing...you did such a great job delivering that baby," said the dispatcher.
As firefighters raced to the home at Naval Base Ventura County, the dispatcher and Gonzales-Robinson turned out to be a great team. Ready or not, Alicia Adams was giving birth.
That’s when firefighters and an ambulance team reached the scene. Ken Rupert is a Captain with Federal Fire Ventura County. He said they were ready to break down the locked door, but then the grandmother opened it.
Dispatchers don’t normally get to meet the people they help. The family wanted to thank Cafuentes, as well as the firefighters and ambulance crew which helped.
The whole family showed up to say thanks. Father Jack Adams, mother Alicia Adams, and the just over seven month old bay girl, Dolores Dolly Sue Adams visited the Ventura County Fire Department Dispatch Center. The help was especially important. Jack Adams is in the military, and was deployed in Guam when his wife gave birth to their second daughter.
Public Safety Dispatch Supervisor Brittney Ferrell says this is a rare treat, because they rarely get to meet the people they help.
The new grandmother called the dispatcher who helped with the birth her angel. "She was calming...she was matter-of-fact."
As a dispatcher with more than eight years of experience, Annmarie Cafuentes said she’s dealt with a lot of situations, but this one stands out, especially because it has such a great ending.
"I remember disconnecting, asking my co-workers to cover the phones. I couldn't even make it out the door...I started crying...I was so overwhelmed with emotions," said Cafuentes. "I just had to let it out...I was so happy for that family."
