‘One of our most rewarding calls’: High Springs firefighters help deliver baby girl at firehouse

BY AMBER THIDODAUX

HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Shortly before 5 a.m. Friday, High Springs Fire Department (HSFD) firefighters received a “pregnancy call” from Fire Station 29; a couple called from Live Oak to UF Health Shands when they called 911 and told the operator they didn’t believe they would make it to the hospital before their baby arrived.

According to an HSFD press release, the crew, led by Captain Andy Burkhalter, recognized that the baby’s arrival was imminent and took quick action. Firefighter (FF)/Paramedic Jon Friend and FF/Paramedic Jake Rhoden skillfully assisted in the safe delivery of the baby girl, who was born at approximately 33 weeks of gestation. FF/EMT Clinton Drake applied umbilical cord clamps and FF/Paramedic Doug Hope helped the new father cut the umbilical cord.

After delivery, the mother and newborn were taken to the hospital by the Alachua County Fire Department.

After assessing the situation, Rhoden found his adrenaline levels were high. “We assessed the patient and quickly realized that there was no point in waiting for her to come to the hospital – that this baby would be born now. A few moments later, the mother held her beautiful daughter, the father cut the umbilical cord and we all sang “Happy Birthday”. It was an amazing moment,” Rhoden recalled.

Rhoden continued: “Jon Friend was really the driving force behind this conversation. He showed great composure, was able to calm the mother and give good instructions during childbirth. For Jon, Drake and I, this was the first delivery in our four years in the industry. I think I speak for all of us that this was definitely one of our most satisfying calls.”

Rhoden said it was a welcome change to be able to have a phone call where “a family was having the best day of their lives… In our job, 99% of our calls are to people who are having the worst day of their lives, and we very rarely know the outcome after sending them to hospital. It was a truly unforgettable experience and a great reminder of why we love this job.”

Rhoden praised Burkhalter and Hope and said having them on the scene eased the stress. “Knowing that they have over 50 years of combined experience and have delivered several babies in their career – just a year and a half ago, Captain Burkhalter helped deliver a baby on the opposite side of the station,” Rhoden said.

Recalling the event, FF/Paramedic Jon Friend added: “After the baby was born, I was speechless. It was an emotion you rarely experience in this job. It’s not every day that a baby is born.

Rhoden thanked HSFD leadership for the high standard of training provided and thanked the entire High Springs community for its support of first responders: “(At High Springs) we pride ourselves on the training that allows you to not only do well, but not have something go wrong – and thanks to leadership and training, it was a great result. One of the greatest honors we have is the opportunity to serve such a wonderful community with wonderful people; knowing that we were able to help this young family in their time of need is a valuable reminder of why we love this job. It was an honor to be a part of it.”

In a press release, the High Springs Fire Department offered “heartfelt congratulations to the new parents” and wished them “a life full of joy and happiness with the newest member of their family.”