Rosie’s barking scared the man off, but Gordimer was afraid the danger wasn’t over. She called 911 with her mobile phone and was connected to the 911 center in Arlington County, where a call-taker told her she was not within their jurisdiction and transferred her to D.C. s 911 center instead. But help didn’t arrive, as D.C. should have transferred her again to the U.S. Park Police.
Gordimer wonders what might have happened had the circumstances turned more dire. I would like to know that, if I call 911 if I have a problem, that I m going to be connected to the right person and that I m going to be safe,” Gordimer said.
Police Call Center Assisted in Four Baby Deliveries in 2020
Police aren’t trained to deliver babies, but when help is needed, the Montgomery County Police Department steps up to the plate.
Cassandra Onley, director of the emergency communications center said out of the 727,000 calls the department received last year, call center personnel was able to assist in four successful baby deliveries.
On Nov. 13, 2020, dispatcher Cameron Ivory was able to give step by step instruction to help a Montgomery County couple who was unable to make it to the hospital in time.
Baby Isabella was delivered successfully. Ivory says it will be a call he remembers forever.