MAYVILLE – A local dispatcher, hailed a hero after he talked a woman through a catastrophic situation, is receiving recognition statewide.
Chautauqua County Dispatcher Steven McAninch was selected by the New York State Sheriff’s Association as Emergency Communicator of the Year.
“I am extremely proud of Steve. He is a huge asset to public safety in Chautauqua County,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace. “He is very well respected by the police, fire and EMS personnel he works with. Steve is an expert in emergency communications and we are blessed to have him.”
McAninch was recognized for an incident in July 2017 when he received a call from Facebook Security in Dublin, Ireland that a young woman threatened suicide.
The dispatcher was able to locate the woman who was in Cattaraugus County.
The woman, who attempted to overdose, was eventually located and taken to a hospital.
McAninch has worked with the Sheriff’s Office for 34 years.
