Independent person

FILE PHOTO Melinda Burns Chances are, if you've ever dialed 911 in an emergency, Nantucket police dispatcher Melinda Burns was on the other end of the telephone.

Burns has been with the Nantucket Police Department for 28 years, first working as a meter maid for two years before being promoted to dispatcher.

One year ago, a frantic mother called 911. Her infant son was not breathing, limp and turning blue. As the police officers were out on patrol, Burns was the only one in the station.

During the course of the fourminute 911 call, Burns remained calm, talked the mother through CPR, praised the mother for her efforts and assured her the baby would be OK. When the police offi cer arrived at the house, the baby had been revived and was breathing and crying for about two minutes. But, in true Burns fashion, she took the lifesaving experience in stride.

"I did not tell the chief about it," she said.

When Burns answers the 911 phone, there is always a second of wondering what the call will bring, yet she credits her intensive training with meeting the challenge at the other end of the line.

"My heart goes to my throat every time the 911 rings. I never know what's on the other end," said Burns.

There is an element of detective work and fast thinking to being a dispatcher, in addition to being the calm and intelligent voice on the other end of the phone.

A favorite 911 call was a young bride in Madaket cooking her first Thanksgiving Day turkey.

"She called 911 to ask which way should the shiny side of the tinfoil be placed on the bird," said Burns with a chuckle.

"It's great working in a small town," Burns added. "I enjoy working as part of a big team. I love the hustle and the bustle and I enjoy working with the people I work with." I