Dispatcher Nick Zummo assists with the delivery of baby

Suffolk County Emergency Services dispatcher Nick Zummo will never forget the call he received on June 18 at 1:47 a.m.; when he picked up, the male voice on the other end of the line announced, “She’s giving birth.”

That day, Zummo arrived at work, ready to face whatever challenges his shift would bring. Being an emergency dispatcher means accepting no two days will ever be the same. The only certainty is you never know what the next phone call will bring until you pick it up.

“Our dispatchers have an incredibly challenging, but ultimately very rewarding job,” said commissioner Rudolph Sunderman. “They are the first responders, their voices provide life-saving instructions and guidance to the caller as they are waiting for additional resources to arrive. Sometimes, though, in the minutes before anyone else can arrive on scene, it comes down to our dispatcher’s ability to compassionately work directly with the caller on the other end of the line to ensure a positive outcome for all. That is exactly what happened here.”

Dispatcher Zummo initially learned that the mother was 36 years old, and nine months pregnant. Only 47 seconds into the call, he was told that the baby’s head was presenting.

Less than a minute later, a baby boy was born. Zummo’s communication skills allowed him to determine the baby’s condition and that the umbilical cord was not presenting a problem. From the moment Zummo picked up the call, to the birth the baby was under two minutes, a time that most certainly seemed longer for all those involved.

“This is what our dispatchers are trained for: unexpected, rapidly evolving, complex situations. Dispatcher Zummo relied on that training throughout the duration of the call.

He remained with the caller and used a clear, calm demeanor to provide the necessary instructions to help keep both the mother and baby safe,” lauded commissioner Sunderman.

Zummo then stayed on the phone with the parents, keeping everyone safe and calm, until the EMTs arrived 1:52 a.m. It was an outstanding job, and a reminder of the critical role Suffolk County Fire Rescue and emergency services play safeguarding the residents of Suffolk County.