Although the thought of becoming a 911 dispatcher appealed to her, it was not something she ever considered before this.   She carefully considered the risk she would take quitting her secure job with the DA's office, jumping into a field she knew absolutely nothing about.   She became the last person to be hired to complete the staff when the Columbia County 911 system went on line in May of 1995.

Once she had a taste of emergency services, Donna took a course and became a New York State Certified EMT-D joining the Greenport Rescue Squad where she became a member in September of 1996. Although no longer active in EMS she still considers it an interest.

She currently lives in the town of Kinderhook and has a son, Brian.