Probie firefighter delivers baby first day on the job

“A lot of guys get to do this maybe five times over 20 years, but not in the first 10 minutes into a shift,” he said

July 02, 2015 09:18 AM

New Haven Register

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — First day on the job, 10 minutes into the shift, Jack Erickson delivered big.

The 28-year-old probationary firefighter, who graduated on Tuesday, was among the first to respond to a call for assistance from a woman about to give birth.

“He did an awesome job. It was pretty representative of the training they get at the (fire) school,” said Lt. Rob Balkun, one of the department’s newest lieutenants and the officer in charge when Engine 15 responded early Wednesday evening.

“We determined there was not enough time to transport her to the hospital,” said Balkun, who also is a paramedic.

The baby girl and her mother are doing fine, Balkun said of the delivery in the Westville home. This is the woman’s second child.

“I did what I could,” Erickson said of his first experience as a firefighter.

They got there just in time — the delivery took less than 15 minutes.

He said he was trained for this kind of emergency by Kenneth Oliver Jr., director of the EMS training for the New Haven Fire Department.

Erickson, 28, a Marine for five years, said he has taken the practical exam as an emergency medical technician and soon will take the written portion.

He said he had been working construction after he got out of the service and jumped at the opportunity to take the New Haven firefighter exam when he got the chance.

Erickson, of Fairfield, said he wanted a profession in which he could make a difference to a community.

“I like having a purpose. I’m really happy to be here,” he said.

“A lot of guys get to do this maybe five times over 20 years, but not in the first 10 minutes into a shift,” Erickson said of the delivery.

The call came in at 5:36 p.m. and Engine 15 arrived at 5:40 p.m., according to Assistant Fire Chief for Operations Matthew Marcarelli.

Marcarelli said firefighters Tim Borer and Mike Gardin also were on the engine; Borer also is a paramedic.

Engine 15 was followed by Emergency 1 with firefighter paramedics Angel Aviles and Jason Mota.

Marcarelli said before the engine arrived on the scene, dispatcher trainee Rosemary Fuentes and her trainer, Kendra Branch-Payne, gave the woman instructions.