Northwest Florida Daily News
DeFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. —A mother and newborn girl are safe and sound thanks to the quick thinking of two Walton County firefighters.
According to Walton County Fire Rescue, the Sheriff’s Office received a call just before 5 p.m. Wednesday that 21-year-old Shaqueena Oliver was in labor. Walton County Fire Rescue Medic 4 arrived at a home to find Oliver lying on her side in bed. She said she was 37 weeks pregnant and having contractions.
While being taken to a local hospital, firefighter/paramedic Austin Pugh and firefighter/EMT Dawson Beale helped Oliver give birth to a baby girl weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces. She was named Aviana Womack.
“These are the moments that make it all worth it,” Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “Many times, first responders deal with incidents with unfortunate outcomes, so when you get to experience a blessing like this, it reminds you why you do what you do.”
Pugh and Beale stopped by the hospital Thursday to visit with the family. The mother and baby are happy and healthy, according to Fire Rescue.
Copyright 217 Northwest Florida Daily News