Debra Cardozo

For nearly 25 years, Debra “Deb” Cardozo has been a steady and compassionate presence in EMS telecommunications. As a dedicated dispatcher for American Medical Response (AMR), she plays a crucial role in coordinating emergency medical services in Colorado Spring and Pueblo, ensuring that help reaches those who need it most.

Deb’s journey in public service began in healthcare. Her early experiences as a NICU unit secretary and phlebotomist gave her firsthand insight into patient care. In 1997, she pursued EMT training, but when her mother’s health declined, she shifted paths. It was a chance encounter with a former instructor in 2000 that led her to apply for a dispatcher position with AMR. It was a decision that changed her life.

Since then, Deb has been the calm voice in moments of crisis, ensuring seamless coordination between EMS teams and the communities they serve. One of the defining moments of her career came in 2017, during an active shooter incident at an apartment complex. With multiple crews on scene, her precise communication and quick thinking helped keep EMS personnel safe. Her dedication to teamwork and coordination exemplifies the critical role public safety telecommunicators play in emergency responses.

Beyond her role as a dispatcher, Deb is a proud mom to her daughter Chelsea, grandmother of two and a member of the AMR Colorado Honor Guard, a position she has held since 2012. As a member of the Honor Guard, she pays tribute to fallen EMS professionals and represents the value of service and commitment that defines her career.

When asked what keeps her motivated, Deb emphasizes the importance of relationships in EMS. “This field is a family,” she says. “Building and maintaining relationships in EMS are essential to working in this field, and those relationships can be lifelong and serve as a family away from home for so many first responders.” She believes the qualities that are essential for an EMS public safety telecommunicator are patience, empathy, quick thinking, detail-oriented, empowerment, respect, dedication, knowledgeable, adaptable and consistency. All of these qualities have helped her as a dispatcher to deliver the right care to the right patient, at the right time.

As she approaches her 25-year at AMR in June 2025, Deb continues to be an invaluable member of the EMS community. Her unwavering dedication, resilience and passion for service makes her a true hero behind the scenes.

This National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we recognize and celebrate Deb and all the dispatchers who serve as the critical link between emergencies and lifesaving response. Thank you for your service, Deb!

“I will celebrate 25 years at AMR in June 2025 and I will continue to serve in this field for as long as I can, sending crews to help our citizens and honor EMS workers and first responders as part of the AMR Colorado Honor Guard.”