Richard Stiles, emergency communications specialist at the ECC, handled the call. It was the first of its kind for him during his almost 11 years of service, but his training kicked in as he calmly provided instructions to the father.
Meanwhile, members of the 788th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and Emergency Services Flight’s Station 3 in Area B, along with medics from the Wright-Patterson Medical Center, proceeded to the location.
The mother reported that she was in active labor, and Stiles referred to his emergency medical dispatcher cards to follow proper protocols.
“It was nerve-wracking, but it was exciting at the same time,” he said. “I’m happy things went smoothly with no complications. Everything went according to plan.”
“All emergency communications specialists go through training to maintain their emergency medical technician status,” said Wright-Patterson AFB Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Chief Jeff Kitzmiller.
Cory Downey, ECC supervisor, commended Stiles for his cool, calm demeanor. Two such ECC dispatchers are on duty 24/7 so that if one is involved with providing emergency information, the other can handle other calls that come in. The ECC, which handles emergency calls for fire, medical and security, displays 18 monitor screens with a wealth of computer applications and enhanced 911 phone lines.
At first, the mother reported she felt like she could be transported to the base’s medical center for the delivery, then it became apparent that she needed to deliver at home.
“We saw some signs of imminent childbirth, so we decided to stay,” Williams said. “We had our OB kit out and ‘Gus’ and I knew what we were going to do. Everyone worked together as a team, including those outside.”
Within 15 minutes the baby was delivered; his nose and mouth were suctioned to clear his air passages, and the father was able to cut the umbilical cord and hold his child.
The mother and baby were then transported to the obstetrical area at WPMC.
The event has had an impact not only on the family but on the emergency responders, too.
“As soon as you hear that baby cry, it’s a total, different experience that I don’t think any of us have ever had in years of being in the fire service,” said Capt. Chase McGrath. “It’s good to see the opposite spectrum of life to death.”
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