In December 2024, a 911 call came from a panicked father in Sullivan County, Tennessee. His 7-month-old baby was having trouble breathing. On the other end of the line, Wendy Doran, a telecommunicator with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, immediately sensed that this wasn’t a moment for guesswork and that she needed to both hear and see with her own eyes what was going on at the scene.
As the father struggled to describe what was happening, Wendy made a critical decision. She quickly launched RapidVideo, a one-way live video feature within RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform. In seconds, she sent a secure video link to the caller’s phone, allowing her to see the baby’s condition for herself.
That visibility changed everything. Through the video feed, Wendy coached the father step by step—first instructing him to use a bulb syringe to clear the baby’s airway, then guiding him through infant CPR. Just before First Responders arrived, the baby began to breathe again.
The advanced capabilities of RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform played a vital role in this life-saving response. By enabling Wendy to launch a live, one-way video call through RapidVideo, she gained immediate visual insight into the baby’s condition—turning uncertainty into action. Her ability to interpret what she saw and guide the caller in real time highlights how powerful NG911 tools become when paired with the intuition and composure of a skilled telecommunicator. You can read more on this story by downloading the case study.
For her extraordinary response, Wendy was named the Q2 2025 RapidDeploy Superstar Award winner—an honor given to 911 professionals who go above and beyond in critical moments by leveraging RapidDeploy’s technology to deliver life-saving outcomes. She was also recognized earlier this year by her agency with the Sullivan County Lifesaving Award.
On May 19, 2025, public safety leaders joined the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office to celebrate Wendy’s heroic actions during a local awards ceremony, honoring both her courage and her exemplary use of NG911 tools in the field.
“Wendy didn’t just use RapidVideo—she used it exactly the way it’s meant to be used: to help save a life when there’s no room for error,” said Steve Raucher, co-founder of RapidDeploy. “We’re incredibly proud to recognize her as a Superstar.”
Wendy’s story shows how live video can guide life-saving actions in real time. In another emergency earlier this year, RapidVideo was used by another 911 agency to handle a fire-related emergency. When a caller from Pima County, Arizona reported a residential fire might be spreading to a nearby structure, the Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) telecommunicators used RapidVideo to gain real-time visual confirmation of the situation. By quickly assessing the footage within RapidDeploy’s Radius Mapping platform, they were able to provide accurate insights to the Battalion Chief—resulting in a decision to downgrade the response. Rather than dispatching seven emergency vehicles, only the closest engine continued with lights and sirens engaged.
The result? Improved safety for responders, reduced public risk, and smarter allocation of limited emergency resources.
“RapidVideo was able to inform our PSAP and command staff with timely, relevant information that ultimately aided in leveraging the proper, safe response to the incident,” said Jason Moore, Deputy Chief and Director of VECC.
Download the Arizona RapidVideo case study here.
These two incidents—one involving an unresponsive infant, the other a potential structure fire—highlight the versatility and power of RapidVideo. Whether guiding CPR during a high-stakes medical call or helping downsize a fire response to avoid unnecessary risk, RapidVideo delivers critical situational awareness exactly when it's needed most.
Wendy’s story is a powerful reminder of the life-saving difference 911 professionals can make when equipped with advanced technology that delivers real-time insight and supports fast, informed action in the most critical moments.
Watch the full award presentation, held at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee, and see behind-the-scenes moments from Wendy’s recognition event in our video recap below:
Do you know a colleague or friend who has shown bravery on the frontlines? We welcome you to submit a Save Story to celebrate and honor your colleagues!
For more stories like Wendy's and to learn about how RapidDeploy makes a difference in public safety, check out our save stories in action.
