By FDNY
NEW YORK — Firefighters from Engine 308 in Queens learned one thing on Nov. 2 — a lot can happen in 13 minutes.
The company responded to and helped deliver a baby in that short span of time.
“It was exhilarating,” Lt. John Hillery said. “The guys were happy and it was amazing how well they worked together. It couldn’t have gone any smoother.”
As they returned from call at around 6 a.m., Lt. Hillery, and Firefighters Steven McCarren, Patrick McCullagh, Keith Mitchell and John Ostrick heard a knock on the firehouse door. It was a girl, who said her sister was in labor at their home down the block.
Firefighters notified dispatch that they were responding, and responded to the residence at 109th Avenue and 120th Street within a minute.
The mother was sitting on the couch in the basement of the home, having contractions that were one minute apart. Firefighters began asking her questions about her pregnancy, and learned this was the mother’s first baby and she had not received prenatal care.
The members laid pillows on the floor to make her comfortable and within three minutes Firefighter McCarran said she was crowning. He helped with the birth as Firefighter Mitchell coached the mother, Firefighter McCullagh handled the obstetrics kit and Firefighter Ostrick took care of radio transmissions.
The firefighters were concerned when they saw the sack had not broken and was still around the baby’s head. The baby also did not spontaneously start breathing, but as soon as firefighters cleared the baby’s airway, he let out a whimper then a big cry.
“It took only seconds [to resolve], but it was stressful,” Lt. Hillery said. “And his cry was the happiest sound.”
The grandfather cut the umbilical cord and they wrapped the baby in a blanket. EMTs Godfrey McLean and Alexander Razumov then worked with local paramedics to transport mom and baby to Jamaica Hospital.
This is the first delivery for Lt. Hillery and Firefighter McCarran, though they are fathers themselves. This is the second FDNY delivery for Firefighters Mitchell, McCullagh and Ostrick.
“Being a part of this is surreal,” said Lt. Hillery. “We enjoyed helping and being a part of that moment.”
Republished with permission from FDNY.