Centre County honors 9-1-1 dispatcher who guided roadside childbirth

The Centre County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 24 recognized 9-1-1 dispatcher Kira Theis for assisting with an in-transit childbirth on Interstate 80 on Sept. 8. The board presented a stork pin and invited the family to the meeting.

Trevor Harris, the midnight supervisor who was on duty that night, told commissioners the call came from the new Howard exit in Marion Township and arrived during a busy weekend tied to Penn State football. "The child was coming, and we did not have time" to reach an ambulance, Harris said, describing how dispatch gave delivery instructions over the phone. He said the department’s training prepared staff to guide the caller and that the outcome was positive.

Kira Theis, who was introduced and thanked by commissioners, described the experience as "crazy" and said she appreciated the department’s support. Family members who were present at the meeting thanked the 9-1-1 staff for calm, methodical instructions that helped deliver the child.

Commissioners praised the 9-1-1 team and noted the recognition gives staff a measure of closure for an unusual, successful call. The board also highlighted that Centre County’s emergency dispatchers are trained in emergency medical dispatch and that moments like this are rare but meaningful.

The board moved on to other agenda items after the recognition; no formal action was required beyond the presentation.