Dispatcher awarded for heroic efforts

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Rachel Borges really loves her job.

She thrives on the chaos that comes with being an emergency 911 dispatcher for both Seward and York County Communication Centers.

But nothing in her three years in the position could prepare her for an incident that took place on Feb. 12.

While working alone at the Seward center that morning, she was called for details about a person being pulled over by Seward County Sheriff Deputies Matt Wambold and Anthony Gann for driving under the influence.

A white, powdery substance was also found and seized at the scene.

Gann was transporting the driver to the Seward County Jail and Wambold was handling the passenger involved when things began to change.

“The thing about it was that it was so routine,” Borges said. “I thought we were waiting for a family member to pick the (passenger) up when I heard (Wambold) shout a code for help.”

Listening entirely through the phone, Borges heard the person get physical with Wambold, prompting him to call for backup.

Borges alerted Gann who was driving away and although he did turn around to help, Gann was exposed to the powdery substance and had a potentially life-threatening reaction.

“Suddenly I heard a code for an ambulance request, so I just started getting people there,” Borges said.

She immediately notified York County deputies and Seward police officers and medical personnel to the scene.

A York County deputy arrived on scene and issued Narcan to Gann, who was then transported to the hospital by medical services Borges sent.

The incident and Borges’s actions prompted the Seward County Board of Commissioners to recognize her with a commendation award on March 2.

Her husband, best friend Samantha Besemer and another coworker were in attendance when she received the award.

“It was a pleasant surprise and I’m grateful everything worked out as it did,” Borges said. “I love this and I’d never have another job.”