City’s Bravest help with special delivery

Firefighters from Engine 298 assisted a a pregnant woman give birth to her second child. Photo courtesy of nyc.gov/FDNY

By Ivan Pereira

There’s always a first time for everything, even for firefighters.

A group of members of New York’s Bravest put their quick-thinking skills to the test today when they were called in to help a Jamaica mom give birth in her home.

The members of Engine Co. 298 received a frantic 911 call around 8 a.m. from  a man who said his partner was going into labor in their second floor apartment, the FDNY said.

Although none of the firefighters have ever delivered a baby before, they rushed to the home and used their training to assist the unidentified mother.

“We were just there to help – this baby was coming whether we were there or not,” Lt. Kevin Gallagher said in a statement.

Firefighters  Scott Fried,  Jim McCarren and Michael Renzulli, all of whom are fathers, delivered the baby boy and waited with the parents until paramedics arrived,  according to the fire department.

EMTs checked the baby at the apartment and said he was healthy before transporting him and his mother to Jamaica Hospital, the FDNY said.

“It was one of the good runs,” said Gallagher, who has two children of his own. “I’m glad everything went well and as smoothly as possible.”