Harford County Dispatchers Assist with Over-the-Phone Delivery of Abingdon Baby

From the Harford County Department of Emergency Services:

(Forest Hill, MD) – – Harford County 911 dispatchers with the Department of Emergency Services, recently assisted with an Abingdon family’s childbirth. Aubree Mae Kulaga was born at 7:59 a.m. on November 7 following a call to the 911 Center at 7:52 a.m. Emily and Matt Kulaga of the 400 block of Oakton Way are the proud parents of the baby girl.

When the 911 emergency call was received from Mr. Kulaga advising his wife was in labor and he did not think they could make it to the hospital in time, the Department of Emergency Services was ready to help.

The call was answered by Christina Abrams, Public Safety Dispatcher III, and Amanda Dolehanty, a Probationary Public Safety Dispatcher in training. Abrams has been with the Department of Emergency Service since 2006. Dolehanty has been with the agency since September of this year and was in training the day of the delivery.

The assistance of childbirth by phone was a first for both Abrams and Dolehanty and they were extremely honored to use their advanced training to help deliver a healthy baby girl after only seven minutes on the phone. The Kulaga family was also fortunate to have the assistance of their friend and neighbor, Brad Jones, at the scene.

Approximately a week following the birth of the daughter Aubree, the Kulaga family and the Jones family were invited to visit and tour the Department of Emergency Services and meet with the dispatchers that helped them through the delivery of their baby girl.

Following the visit, Emily Kulaga commented “It was comforting to know that when dialing 911 there are well trained professionals that know exactly how to stay calm and handle an intense situation flawlessly.” She also expressed her thanks and appreciation to Abrams and Dolehanty again and said, “Our family is forever grateful, and we have a perfect little girl as proof of their outstanding work.”

Commenting on the performance of Dispatchers Abrams and Dolehanty, Director Russell J. Strickland said, “The manner in which our dispatchers handled a very stressful and critical situation was outstanding. Dispatcher Abrams and Trainee Dolehanty executed their duties in an exemplary manner and as a result the Kulaga family welcomed the birth of Aubree just minutes after their initial 911 call for help”, Strickland added.