In a heartwarming turn of events, firefighters from Elyria’s Engine Company 3 responded to an emergency call last week regarding a woman in active labor on Lake Avenue. The call came in shortly before midnight.
Amanda Cohen, a Lorain County dispatcher, identified herself over the phone and expertly guided the father through the procedure as he described the situation.
The audio conveyed the urgency:
“Hi, my wife is pregnant and going into labor right now,” he said, giving their address.
Amanda quickly reassured him, “We are on our way,” and began giving him instructions on what to do.
Within four minutes, firefighters had arrived, well ahead of the ambulance.
“We have an excellent EMS program in place. Fire Chief Joe Pronesti stated, “Our firefighters are trained to handle these types of situations, and they really stepped up.” “It’s rare to actually perform a delivery in the field, but we prepare for it every year in our training.”
When the crew arrived, they quickly assisted the mother in giving birth by clamping the cord and starting an IV for hydration before an ambulance arrived.
“They were calm and professional, exactly what you want in a situation like this,” according to the commander.
Pronesti also emphasized the vital role of dispatchers.
“They provide vital first arrival instructions, helping ensure we’re ready when we get there,” he told me.
Both mother and baby are doing well, and the firefighters will be given special recognition for their efforts.
“These are the calls that we remember. “It’s incredible to help bring a new life into the world,” Pronesti said, reflecting on the joy and connection that such moments bring in their line of work.
The last time the Elyria Fire Department assisted with a delivery was in January 2024, when they welcomed a baby boy into the world.
