For 35 years, LeAnn Riley has worked as an emergency medical and fire dispatcher for American Medical Response in Stanislaus County. This year, she received the 2025 Stars of Life award from the American Ambulance Association, which honors individuals in emergency medical services for leadership and dedication.
Riley was one of 147 recipients recognized at a national gala in Washington, D.C., held from November 16 to 18. She was the only recipient from Stanislaus County and one of 20 honorees from California.
Upon learning about her nomination and selection, Riley said, “I was shocked. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I was so surprised, it was a nice surprise.” She added, “I am very humbled and blessed that someone took the time to nominate me, and that they honored me in this way.”
The American Ambulance Association highlighted Riley’s expertise: “Her remarkable ability to ask the right questions and quickly assess the appropriate level of response is not a skill acquired overnight. It reflects decades of experience, professional mastery, and a deep understanding of the emergency medical services industry.
“To her colleagues and supervisors, LeAnn is the very definition of an unsung hero. Her exceptional skill, accuracy, and commitment make her an indispensable part of her agency’s success and a trusted lifeline for her community.”
Riley’s interest in emergency services began after her father survived a motorcycle accident when she was young. “I always thought it was doctors who worked on the ambulances because they saved my dad. It became something I was drawn to, to work for the ambulance service,” she said.
She started working at an ambulance company at age 19 in billing before moving into dispatching. Riley said helping people is among the most rewarding aspects of her job: “We are on the phone with them until help arrives and we talk with them, and they’re not alone.”
In urgent situations, she has guided callers through CPR or other lifesaving measures while waiting for paramedics. In one case in November 2008 reported by The Modesto Bee, Riley helped save a child who nearly drowned by instructing CPR over the phone until responders arrived; the child made a full recovery after being airlifted to Sacramento.
Reflecting on such experiences, Riley said: “I don’t always know the outcome; that is not something we always know. I go home at night, and I pray for people that I don’t know. That’s how I carry on and am able to answer the next call.”
Her career also led her to meet her husband Steven—then a paramedic—whom she married 24 years ago. Now retired from fieldwork himself, Steven shares a quiet life with Riley when off duty; she enjoys baking and crafting outside work hours.
Looking ahead, Riley says she plans to continue working as long as possible: “This is something I see myself retiring into. I’ve dedicated my life to this. And this is what I will do until I can no longer do it,” she said. “I think that there’s still more to be done. I still have a lot of years ahead of me, and I’m going to continue to help people. Maybe I can make a difference in more people’s lives.”
