2 dispatchers presented Stork Award for helping deliver baby

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Skip Draper, right, on Tuesday presents a Stork Award to county dispatchers Jodi Marion and Mike Schultz for their efforts to help deliver a healthy baby on Aug. 15.

The father of the baby called 911 around 11:45 a.m. The baby was born four minutes later at the Clarendon Crosby’s.

Marion stayed on the phone with the father while Schultz dispatched an ambulance that took the mother and newborn to Strong Memorial Hospital.

“Ot was a sign of relief to hear the baby crying,” Marion recalled.

Marion is a former EMT who became a dispatcher three years ago after working in the Albion village clerk’s office.

She enjoys the job as a dispatcher, where she said “you are the first person to call when people need help.”

Schultz is a former Kendall fire chief who has worked as a dispatcher for 12 ½ years.

Pictured from left include Deputy Matt Prawel, 911 communications director Julie Vendetti, dispatchers Mike Schultz and Jodi Marion, Legislator Skip Draper, and Sheriff Chris Bourke.

Vendetti has worked in dispatch for 15 years and said this is the third time in her career a dispatcher has helped deliver a baby over the phone. Jerry Bentley did it twice, she said.

The Stork Award from the County Legislature commends Marion and Schultz.

“Your quick thinking, swift actions, and dedication in the moment will forever be widespread and extremely appreciated,” the award states.