Rescue Squad Delivers Baby While Enroute to Hospital

On Monday, the did something it doesn’t normally do—it delivered a baby.

“It’s very unusual for us to be able to deliver a baby in the back of an ambulance,” said squad member Fred Beisser. “We’ve gotten plenty of calls where a woman’s in labor, but by the time you get there you usually go to St. Peter’s (University Hospital) or wherever. But this was so quick.”

Rescue Squad Second Lt. John Hosie said that an ambulance was sent to an East Brunswick hotel at about 8:20 p.m. Monday after the squad received a call that a woman was in labor and that her water broke. Also dispatched were paramedics from Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Since contractions were still about three minutes apart and there was no crowing, and since it was the woman’s first baby, the patient was determined stable enough to make the ride to a nearby hospital.

However, what the EMT’s didn’t realize was that the baby had it’s own plan. 

The ambulance had barely started on its way to St. Peter’s when EMT and squad member Sue Bender-Klein noticed that the patient had started to crown. She shouted to the front seat, where Beisser and Jimmy Chen sat, that they pull over immediately.

“I don’t think it was two minutes later and suddenly all you hear is ‘waaaah!’ It was that quick. I’d never seen it that quick. I’ve heard in some cases where if it’s your six or seventh baby it comes out that quick, but not in this case,” said Beisser, the squad’s vice president and a 10-year veteran.

At 8:51 p.m. a healthy 7 pound, 1 ounce baby boy was delivered and shortly after, was greeted with cheers by staff at St. Peter’s

“Even though it was so quick, it’s a thrill to deliver a baby and bring a new life into the world. It’s such a blessing,” said Beisser.

"Normally, part of our duty is to try and save people from pasing away, but what a joy it is to bring someone into the world," he continued.

According to Hosie, this is the second time the East Brunswick Rescue Squad has delivered a baby in an ambulance. In fact, about three years ago, it was Beisser and Bender-Klein who responded.

“Most volunteer EMTs rarely get to experience such an event and many who have been doing this for 20-30 years are still waiting,” said Hosie in a press release. “This was the second delivery for both Fred and Sue which is akin to hitting the lottery twice.”

The East Brunswick Rescue Squad will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2012.   This is an all-volunteer organization whose financial support comes solely from donations.  Tax deductable donations can be sent to EBRS at 346 Cranbury Road,  East Brunswick N.J. 08816.