Gurnee honors 9-1-1 operator

Gave instructions to woman giving birth on off ramp

Gurnee -- communications operator Molly Jones was honored at Monday night's Village Board helping a woman who delivered her baby daughter on a Tri-State Tollway off ramp.

Mayor Kristina Kovarik and Police Chief Robert Jones presented the commendation to Jones, citing the calm and professional manner in which she handled the emergency.

After receiving the commendation, Jones gave credit to her partner, 9-1-1 operator Joseph Zak, who dispatched an ambulance to the scene while she was on the 9-1-1 call. She also credited Gurnee Fire Department paramedics who quickly arrived and safely transported mother and child to a hospital.

The call came on the evening of Sept. 27. Ashley Guzman, 20, and her boyfriend, Daniel Harris, both of Hanover Park, had been shopping at Gurnee Mills with Ashley's mother, Charmane Barnes, when Ashley began having contractions.

They left Gurnee Mills and tried to make it to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, but they only made it to the Route 21 exit ramp, where they stopped and called 9-1-1 for help.

All Gurnee 9-1-1 operators are trained in emergency medical dispatch. The 9-1-1 operator asks certain questions to ascertain what the medical emergency is and then uses directions on a set of medically approved cards to direct the caller in providing first aid to the victim until paramedics arrive.

Jones was able to talk to Guzman and determine that the child had been born and was breathing. She gave instructions on using a string or shoelace to tie the umbilical cord and keeping the baby and mother warm until the paramedics arrived.