The call about a woman in labor came into the emergency center at 1:15 a.m. but the baby wasn’t going to wait for help to arrive.
Guided only by the calm voice of a Suffolk County dispatcher on the other end of a 911 call, the child was delivered in a Coram home before police, fire, or EMS crews could get there.
Timothy Murphy took the call reporting a woman in active labor. With first responders still en route, he provided step-by-step instructions to the caller, helping guide the delivery and ensuring the safety of both mother and child.
Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Commissioner Rudy Sunderman praised Murphy’s actions, noting the critical role dispatchers play behind the scenes during emergencies.
“Tim Murphy is an emergency service dispatcher for us, and when we heard of his delivering of the baby, we were excited,” Sunderman said. “That’s what our emergency service dispatchers do every day.”
Sunderman emphasized that while dispatchers may not be physically on scene, their impact is often immediate and life-saving.
“They’re the behind-the-scenes workers, the behind-the-scenes first responders that are there to support our residents any time they call 911,” he said.
Murphy’s calm and professional guidance helped bring a new life into the world under stressful circumstances, a moment Sunderman called a source of pride for the department.
“They delivered the baby prior to police, fire and EMS arrival,” Sunderman said. “The whole thing—he walked them through it. He did a great job. We’re very proud.”
Murphy was later presented with a certificate in recognition of his actions.
Officials say the incident highlights the dedication and professionalism of Suffolk County’s dispatchers, who serve residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.