Her Story
About Ashleigh
Ashleigh O'Brien serves as an emergency telecommunicator for 911 at the Harnett County Sheriff's Office in Willington, North Carolina. She began her career in October 2013 part-time with a small agency and transitioned in February 2017 to her current larger agency. In addition to handling emergent and non-emergent calls, she is a state-accredited Tactical Emergency Response Task Force (TERT) member, a role that required her to pursue certification independently and for which she remains the only certified tactical dispatcher at her agency. Through TERT, she deployed for approximately one week to assist dispatchers in the North Carolina mountains following Hurricane Helene. Her professional achievements include being named a North Carolina Hometown Hero both locally and regionally, as well as receiving recognition for two clinical saves in Sampson County from a senator and two additional clinical saves in Harnett County. She maintains memberships in NENA, APCO, SEMA, and the Red Cross.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashleigh
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my mom, who was also a telecommunicator and shared her experiences with me, my two children who have been a constant motivation, and their father who has been a reliable source of support during tough calls and work demands.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is when they tell you that you can't do it, look at them and tell them to watch you. There is something about proving everybody wrong when they say she's not gonna make it, and knowing that you did do it, you're enjoying it, and you're doing it really well.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be okay with not being liked. There are people who will always find something not to like about you. You need to make sure that you like yourself before getting involved. There will be days when resources are great and days when they're not enough. Make sure you have your own sense of community and stay true to yourself.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty, honor, and integrity are huge to me - they go hand-in-hand. Attention to detail is also critical, whether it's noticing when someone's breath hitches or picking up on minute things others might overlook.
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