York County dispatcher receives award after two life-saving incidents

YORK COUNTY – York County Emergency Communications Deputy Director Mindy Gerken has been awarded the Nebraska Emergency Service Communications Association (NESCA) Life Saver Award for two life-saving incidents in the past year. 

​In April of 2023, she took a 911 call of a subject in cardiac arrest. She quickly recognized how CPR was needed and was able to coach the caller “to get hands on the chest.” With her guidance, the caller performed five minutes of compressions on the patient until EMS arrival. It was later reported how the patient was in stable condition at the hospital.
Then in January, 2024, during a serious weather event, she took a 911 call from a stranded motorist on a county road. He said his truck was buried in snow and he had no heat. Due to low visibility and poor road conditions, rescue was delayed until first responders could get to him safely. She called the stranded motorist every 15-20 minutes to check on him. He later relayed he was fearful of drying out there alone and her check-up calls brought him comfort. He said it also “kept him going” until help could arrive. He was later rescued with minor frostbite to his fingers and toes.
As said by emergency communication officials, “Successful outcomes in both incidents show how she is a high performer in her position and she is dedicated to the public safety of York County.”