The News & Observer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — A Chapel Hill Fire Department captain helped deliver his own daughter this week on the way to the birthing center.
Capt. David Sasser and his wife, Vanessa, were headed to the Women’s Birth and Wellness Center at 930 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. on Monday from their home near Sanford in Lee County.
They started their 45- to 60-minute trip and had made it to the intersection of South Columbia Street between The Carolina Inn and Sitterson Hall on the UNC campus, five traffic lights from their destination.
Vanessa’s contractions were coming fast and she felt the need to push.
David pulled over and Vanessa delivered a baby girl, Kayleigh Ruth Sasser.
In a town news release, David said his basic training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), firefighting career and birthing classes helped him stay calm.
He called 911 for assistance, broke the bag of fluid, and began to wipe down the baby.
The Fire Department’s Engine 31 responded as well as Medic 3 and Emergency Medical Service Unit 10. The fire truck is the one David works on, though his crew was not on duty.
David said he is very proud of his wife, Vanessa, and proud to be a part of the Fire Department.
“This is what we do every day, and we do it in professional manner,” he said.
David has worked with the Fire Department for 15 years; he also has worked at Western Wake, where he is a lieutenant, for nine years. He has a total of 20 years in the fire service.
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©2014 The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)