Kirsten “Schae” Britt, who serves as an Advanced EMT for Dare County EMS, has been named Dare County Employee of the Month for January 2026. The prestigious award was presented to Britt by Dare County EMS Director Chief Jennie Collins during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026. 

Britt’s service to Dare County began in April 2017, when she was initially hired to serve as an EMT Basic before being promoted to her current position as an Advanced EMT in May 2019. As she began her presentation, Collins noted that Britt is also currently enrolled in College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Advanced EMT to Paramedic program—an accelerated internal paramedic academy created by Dare County EMS and COA for existing EMS staff who want to advance their credential level—and is scheduled to graduate alongside her classmates in April 2026.

Britt was nominated for the Employee of the Month award in recognition of the initiative she takes each day, the dedication to her duties that she displays, and the selfless service she consistently provides to both her department and the Dare County community as a whole—particularly when it comes to supporting new hires, students and her colleagues through continuing education courses and hands-on training opportunities. 

“She is always the quiet person in the background but wants to do everything to make the [EMS] department and the county successful,” said Collins. “She loves working with new hires, students and colleagues. She readily shares information and hands-on training, and she’s one of the most positive folks. She’s just pleasant to be around, so she just attracts people wanting to work with her.”

Dare County EMS Director Chief Jennie Collins presents the Employee of the Month certificate to Kirsten “Schae” Britt during the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting.

As she continued her presentation, Collins emphasized the key role Britt’s positive attitude and enthusiastic personality play in the success of new hire orientations and continuing education programs for current personnel, as well as the variety of community events that are either hosted or attended by Dare County EMS throughout the year—such as KidsFest, Dare Day, local career fairs, and open houses designed to educate residents and visitors about the array of essential services that are provided to the public by Dare County EMS personnel on a daily basis.

“Her exceptional contributions to [these events and activities] have significantly impacted our team and the success of our events thanks to her positive influence and unwavering assistance at each occurrence,” read a nomination form submitted by Britt’s colleagues recommending that she receive the honor of being named Dare County Employee of the Month. “Her enthusiasm and proactive approach have not only helped to make these events smooth and successful, but have also created a welcoming atmosphere for the public.”

Kirsten “Schae” Britt stands at the podium with her family and Chief Collins after the Employee of the Month presentation.

“I get a lot of thank you cards from patients of the [Dare County EMS] service, and she’s one of those folks that gets pulled out by name a lot of times in these thank you notes because she makes that much of an impact on people,” said Collins, who went on to share an exceptional example of the positive—and ultimately life-saving—impact Britt has made on members of the community she serves in recent weeks, despite being off-duty at the time and enjoying lunch at a local restaurant with her family.

“[Her] ears picked up something—a commotion going on behind her—and she turned around, and in the booth sitting behind them was an 18-month-old that was barely conscious, turning blue and not breathing, and choking on food,” Collins explained. “Without hesitation, she got up, she told the family member to call 911, and she began life-saving care on the 18-month-old,” which included performing appropriate interventions such as back blows, abdominal thrusts and chest compressions when the child became unresponsive.  

“Her rapid and skilled response dislodged the airway obstruction, allowing the child to resume breathing and gradually regain consciousness—and before the arrival of the on-duty ambulance, the child was conscious, ‘pinked up’ again and alive because of what she did and that selfless act,” Collins continued. “She stayed calm, was very decisive and prevented a tragic outcome.” 

As she concluded her remarks and presented Britt with the prestigious Dare County Employee of the Month award for January 2026, Collins commented, “Schae is a proud wife and mother, and she’s a role model to her peers and an advocate for anybody needing anything—and we are certainly proud of her. So, Schae, for everything that you do, I’m happy to present this award for January 2026 Employee of the Month!”

Kirsten “Schae” Britt holds her Dare County Employee of the Month certificate.

For more information about Dare County EMS, please visit DareNC.gov/EMS.