SEAVILLE — Upper Township Emergency Medical Services (Squad 21) had a Father’s Day call to remember when an ambulance crew safely delivered a baby boy in the back of an ambulance Sunday morning, June 21.
According to Chief John Brittin, Upper Township EMS was dispatched to the Seaville section of the township at about 8:10 a.m. in response to a report of an imminent childbirth.
Two ambulances responded from the EMS station in Petersburg, staffed by Supervising EMT Jenn Teasenfitz, EMT Angel Anderson, EMT Matt Blaker and EMT Steve Myers.
While responding, the EMS crew received an update from dispatch that the patient’s contractions were 2 minutes apart, her water had broken and her due date was that day, according to Brittin.
Both ambulances arrived on scene and immediately began caring for the mother. The patient was loaded into the ambulance and EMS began transport to a hospital.
At that time, it did not appear that delivery was imminent, Brittin said. However, only minutes into the transport, the patient advised the crew that she felt an urgent need to push. Upon further examination by Anderson, it was evident that the baby was coming.
The ambulance crew pulled over at a safe location on a nearby side street and immediately prepared for delivery. Anderson and Teasenfitz worked together to coach the mother and ultimately deliver the baby boy at 8:25 a.m.
Following the delivery, Anderson clamped the umbilical cord and assisted the baby’s father with cutting it. Teasenfitz then assumed care of the newborn while Anderson continued caring for the mother.
Myers and Blaker assisted throughout the delivery process and then drove the ambulances to the hospital.
By 9 a.m., the mother and baby arrived safely at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, where care was transferred from EMS to emergency department staff.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, both mother and baby were reported to be doing well with no medical concerns identified.
Brittin praised the crew’s actions and professionalism.
“I am an extra proud chief today. We have a great team here at Upper Township, and they do amazing things every day. This crew really brought their A game — each and every one of them. This was a textbook delivery. They recognized the signs, they saw the cues and they responded exactly as they should,” he said. “In EMS, we are often called during some of people’s most difficult moments. It is refreshing to be part of one of life’s best moments. This crew helped bring a new life into the world on Father’s Day, and we could not be more proud of the professionalism and compassion they showed.”
