The baby was delivered on 24 February – a joint effort between the telephone operator; the dad, a visiting friend and of course, mum.

Marie Le Masurier was kneeling on the bathroom floor when Fleur Le Masurier decided to come into the world at 03:15 on 24 February thanks in part to calm instructions delivered over the telephone by Ali (listen below). 

“When answering emergency calls you never know what the call will entail: you could be helping somebody on the worst day of their lives or in this case one of the happiest,” she said.

A friend who was staying at the house called 999, where Joint Emergency Services Control Centre Operator Ali Brown answered. Marie’s husband, Aaron Le Masurier took the phone, and Ali began talking him through the birthing process. Other JESCC staff dispatched an ambulance.

“Aaron did a fantastic job in following all the instructions I gave to him in what was obviously a very stressful time for him and Marie,” she said. 

“Things progressed very fast and the baby was born in a matter of minutes – the moment I heard the first cry from the baby was very special indeed, and a relief that all was well. Although it was my call, it’s a team effort, while I’m talking my caller through what to do, the rest of the team are busy dispatching the relevant emergency services and also dealing with other emergency and non- emergency calls at the same time.

The baby was safely born and St John’s Ambulance arrived moments later. Mother and baby were taken to the hospital but were back at home within 12 hours.

“The one thing at the top of our birth plan was that we didn’t want a home birth but it was such a positive and empowering experience thanks to Ali who guided us through it,” said Marie 

JESCC Inspector Tony Jones said:

“This is a great example of the fantastic work JESCC call handlers perform each and every day, largely in the background of island life. They are an integral part of Guernsey’s emergency services, and it is fantastic to recognise Ali for the work she did that day.”

The call recording was sent to the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch used by JESCC for review, and they were happy to award membership of the ‘Stork Club’ – when a call operator delivers a baby – to her, sending a congratulatory mug.

Pictured above: L-R Ali Brown, Marie Le Masurier, Fleur Le Masurier and Aaron Le Masurier.