Firefighters Help Deliver Baby in Queens
Engine 298
Firefighters from Engine 298 started the Feb. 23 in an extraordinary way, helping a Queens woman deliver a healthy baby boy.
"It was one of the good runs," said Lt. Kevin Gallagher. "I’m glad everything went well and as smoothly as possible."
A nervous father called 911 at around 8 a.m., saying his partner was giving birth at their home on 138th Place.
The members of Engine 298 were first on the scene and were met at the front door by the father, who directed them to the second floor apartment.
Lt. Gallagher said the expectant mother was on the bed and the baby was crowning.
Firefighters moved quickly to prepare for the delivery and within five minutes, Firefighter Scott Fried was holding the newborn baby boy – the couple’s second child.
Firefighters Jim McCarren and Michael Renzulli cut the cord and wrapped the baby as Paramedics Juan Criado and Vanes Tenorio, and EMTs Kevin Kuck and Amanda Uster arrived.
They suctioned the baby’s mouth and nose, and checked his respiration and heart beat, and said everything seemed healthy.
Together they carried the mother and baby downstairs and transported them to Jamaica Hospital.
Lt. Gallagher said he has two children, Firefighter Renzulli has four, and Firefighters Fried and McCarren each have two.
He said none of the firefighters had delivered a baby before (although they have been trained on how to do so) and everyone remained calm. He also added: "We were just there to help – this baby was coming whether we were there or not."