SAN FRANCISCO — An American Medical Response ambulance crew delivered a baby girl after heavy traffic prevented a San Francisco family from reaching the hospital on Sept. 19.
After being dispatched to the 911 call, the AMR crew became stuck in the same traffic as the family. Unable to reach the mother by ambulance, the crew grabbed delivery equipment and continued on foot for two blocks, carrying a stretcher, cardiac monitor, blankets and medical bags, AMR stated in a press release.
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The AMR crew included Paramedic Field Training Officer Octavio Rubio, EMT Field Training Officer Brian Ingram, Paramedic Cristina DeBiase and another EMT.
They reached the mother while she was already in active labor.
“Delivering a baby in the field is rare,” EMT Field Training Officer Brian Ingram said. “Having to park the ambulance, grab all of our equipment and run through traffic to get there is even more unusual. Everyone stayed calm, worked together and focused on what mattered most: providing medical care for mom and baby.”
The AMR ambulance was staffed by four EMS clinicians, including two veteran field training officers and two clinicians completing the agency’s field training program. The four-person crew provided additional staffing and experience during the emergency delivery, according to AMR.
DeBiase, who recently earned her paramedic license, took a lead role in the delivery while working under Rubio’s supervision.
The call also underscored the role of field training officers in preparing new EMS clinicians. Rubio and Ingram both mentor new employees and help maintain clinical standards.
Ingram, who joined AMR in 2017, also works as a recruiter and serves on the agency’s peer support and critical incident stress management teams.
“One of the most remarkable parts of this story is that two trainees were learning alongside experienced mentors when this call came in,” AMR Regional Director Rodney Brouhard said. “These trainees were able to see firsthand how preparation, teamwork and clinical excellence come together during a high-acuity emergency. There is no better example of what EMS professionals are called to do every day.”
