By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
A new recognition for employees within the Hays Police Department was awarded recently to a 911 dispatcher who talked a couple through the birth of their brand new baby before emergency responders could arrive.
An unusual event.
And then it happened again. On the same shift to a different dispatcher.
Quite unusual, and deserving of recognition with the first-ever Hays Police Department Stork Awards.
Emergency communications shift lead Austin Schmeidler and dispatcher Rachel Barnes were honored by Don Scheibler, police chief, during the Aug. 24 Hays City Commission work session.
Schmeidler and Barnes work together on the same shift and both took 911 calls where they helped bring new babies into the world.
"In today's modern world, this doesn't happen very often so it's extremely unusual to happen on the same shift in such a short period of time," Scheibler said.
On June 4 at about 1 p.m., Schmeidler answered a 911 call from a couple traveling along Interstate 70.
The caller reported his wife was in labor and the baby was about to make its appearance.
"Dispatcher Schmeidler directed the caller to safely pull over to the side so that EMS could assist," Scheibler said.
"As Austin was asking the primary questions in the emergency dispatch protocol, the mother gave birth to a baby girl.
"Schmeidler provided post-birth instructions prior to the arrival of EMS. EMS arrived to assist the family and their brand-new daughter."
The emergency phone call was just a little more than five minutes.
"Dispatcher Austin Schmeidler maintained a calm, professional demeanor," Scheibler said.
While Schmeidler was talking to the family, co-worker Rachel Barnes took his role as lead dispatcher and sent EMS to the scene.
Then it was Barnes' turn.
"Not to be outdone, on Aug. 12, at approximately 4:56 p.m., Dispatcher Rachel Barnes took a 911 call with the individual stating his wife had gone into labor at their home in rural northern Ellis County," Scheibler said.
"Dispatcher Barnes quickly began working through the appropriate protocol while Shift Lead Brian Schmeidler immediately dispatched EMS to the residence.
"Dispatcher Barnes provided instructions and reassurance to the mother, helping her through the birth."
The child was born about six minutes after the call was received, and EMS arrived shortly afterward.
"During the entire 20-minute call, Dispatcher Barnes was calm and professional, providing the mother with support and appropriate post-birth instructions prior to the arrival of EMS," Scheibler said.
Scheibler further praised both Schmeidler and Barnes for their "calm and professional support regularly given by our communication division— many are here tonight—to callers who are in crisis."
The pair posed for pictures with their co-workers, police officers, Hays City commissioners and family members after being presented with their Stork Awards, "when the babies win the race against the responders to the scene."
"Wow! That was cool," said Mayor Shaun Musil after the recognition ceremony.
Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor, agreed.
"Those are the kinds of things you like to have happen," she said.