The Oregonian
TUALATIN, Ore. — Paramedics from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue in Beaverton delivered two babies in the back of ambulances during a 24-hour period Friday and Saturday.
The mothers-to-be, hampered by treacherous driving conditions, couldn’t make it to the hospital on time.
Early Friday morning, the first couple called 9-1-1 from home to ask for an ambulance transport to St. Vincent Medical Center, where the mother-to-be planned to give birth. But the baby showed up early.
He was born at 2:21 a.m., in the back of Metro West ambulance, as it raced north along Oregon 217. Station 67 Captain Paramedic Kraig Moisan and Firefighter Paramedic Jesse Fitzpatrick delivered the boy, who was healthy.
Then Saturday, shortly after 2 a.m., the second couple pulled over in a grocery-store parking lot near Southwest 185th Avenue and Farmington Road in Aloha and called 9-1-1 for help. The mother-to-be knew she wasn’t going to make it to St. Vincent’s in time.
Firefighters Aaron Bebb and Eric Phillips rode with the patient — delivering a baby girl at 2:35 a.m. as the Metro West ambulance passed Southwest Hall Boulevard and Canyon Road. After the girl was born, they pulled the ambulance over so the baby’s father could meet his healthy baby daughter.
TVF&R spokeswoman Alisa Cour said the fire district is advising all people with medical emergencies — not just women in labor — to call 9-1-1 for an ambulance transport to the hospital while the roads stay covered in snow and ice.
“Don’t try to get on the road and get there yourself,” Cour said.
In and around Salem, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team is volunteering to drive medical staff to work at Salem Hospital. Twelve volunteers with the Jeep Patrol are giving rides in their 4x4 vehicles.
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