Senator Helming Honors Wayne County Dispatcher with Liberty Medal

During the opening ceremonies for the Wayne County Fair, Senator Pam Helming honored Wayne County 911 Dispatcher Lesa Osipovitch with a New York State Senate Liberty Medal. A New York State Liberty Medal is one of the highest civilian honors that a New Yorker can receive. The award is given to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers, and is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate.

On Monday, March 4th, 2019, Dispatcher Osipovitch received a call from a women whose husband had passed out. Using her training, she quickly determined he was having a heart attack. Over the phone, Dispatcher Osipovitch gave CPR instructions, while sending emergency crews to their home. The man’s wife was able to perform CPR for 18 minutes until EMS workers arrived. Her quick thinking, training, and excellent communication skills undoubtedly saved a life that day.