Firefighters respond to medical emergencies almost hourly in the Capital City. But delivering a baby?
That's an unusual occurrence.
On Saturday morning, some local firefighters were given the opportunity to bring a new life into the world when they responded to an 8:41 a.m. call to assist a pregnant woman in the 1000 block of High Street.
Although the woman and the baby's identity have not been made public, Jefferson City firefighters were able to discuss how they handled the situation.
Quentin Combs, a firefighter with an EMT license, took the lead in assisting the delivery. When they arrived at the home, they found a woman fully engaged in labor.
"Out of the three, I had the most medical experience," Combs said. "We've had calls like that before, but nothing this exciting."
Combs said when they arrived the baby's arrival was imminent because the mother had mistaken stomach pain for contractions. The delivery took only minutes and Combs found himself quickly catching the baby girl, clearing the infant's mouth and nasal passages and massaging its feet.
Although Combs put on a confident and serious game face while helping the mother on the floor of a small bathroom, he actually was quite nervous and doing his best to remain calm, he said. Combs, 33 and unmarried, admitted he didn't have much life experience with childbirth. Although his EMT training did cover childbirth, this was his first delivery in eight years as a firefighter.
"When (the baby) cried, I felt so relieved," he said.
Dave Ruetz, a JCFD driver/operator with 16 years' experience, said close calls are not uncommon. But usually the mother makes it to the hospital in time.
"You always go back to your training," Ruetz said. "But no matter how much training you have, you're not ready for this. It was a first for all of us.
"It was pretty exciting."
Combs and Ruetz, along with firefighter Evan Jennings, waited with the family until paramedics and an ambulance arrived and transported the mother and new child to St. Mary's Hospital.
The experience was an adrenaline rush that didn't wane until the group arrived at the hospital, Combs said. It was only there that he felt the sense of elation that comes from seeing a baby born.
Capt. Kurt Williams wasn't on the call, but he commended his colleagues.
"With all of the tragedy we often see on the job, it's always a pleasure to bring a new life into the world," Williams said. "I think these guys did an exceptional job on Saturday. And the mother - she did all the hard work."
Williams said it's important that expectant mothers get the early prenatal care they need.
"I was just glad that everything went smoothly," Combs said. "That was the good thing."
Attempts to reach the mother at her home were not successful Monday.