March 5, 2014
First Responders Make Special Delivery
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Two HFD firefighter/paramedics were honored recently with the “Chief’s Award” for their efforts in delivering a healthy baby on the side of a busy highway. (from left to right) Hazelwood firefighter/paramedic Kevin Marshall, Hazelwood Fire Chief Dave Radel, Hazelwood firefighter/paramedic Amanda Boyer, and Hazelwood Mayor Matthew Robinson.
Photo courtesy of the City of Hazelwood
Hazelwood firefighter/paramedics receive chief’s Award for delivering healthy baby along the highway
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By Amanda Meyer At a recent City Council meeting, Hazelwood Fire Chief Dave Radel, with assistance from Mayor Matthew Robinson, presented the “Chief ’s Award” to two of his firefighter/paramedics. Both Amanda Boyer and Kevin Marshall were recognized and honored for their actions which exemplifed the ideals of the Hazelwood Emergency Services. At 12:20am on Tuesday, Feb. 4, the firefighter/paramedics assigned to fire truck 4115 and ambulance 4117 of the Hazelwood Fire Department responded to an Emergency 911 call regarding a pregnant woman in need of assistance on westbound highway I-270 near the North Lindbergh Boulevard overpass. While en route to the scene, Hazelwood police officers advised them it was an imminent delivery. Both Boyer and Marshall were worried about the circumstances and whether the mother was in good health. When they arrived at the scene, the firefighter/paramedics were greeted by the woman’s husband who exclaimed, “The baby is coming!” and Boyer realized she would be delivering her first baby. Boyer, who has been a paramedic for five and a half years, calmed the pregnant woman and assessed her medical needs. She found the woman to be in good health—and good spirits—even though the woman was about to give birth along the highway. Boyer delivered the baby girl with
minimal complications. Her ambulance partner, Kevin Marshall, who has been a paramedic for almost 10 years, notified the hospital and took care of the mother while Boyer stayed with the newborn. Fire Captain Michael Eisenbais recorded the time of birth and coordinated the efforts of his crew members in setting up and deploying equipment, as well as preparing the ambulance for transport with the two patients. Hazelwood police officers were also on hand to guide traffic around the scene and to monitor everyone’s safety that evening in the freezing cold weather. The mom and baby girl were transported to the hospital by a Hazelwood ambulance and were both found to be in good health upon their arrival. While celebrating with the new parents afterwards, there was a “tongue-in-cheek” discussion about giving the baby girl the middle name of “Hazel” since she was born in the City of Hazelwood. However, the department has not received any confirmation that this was carried out. When asked about the experience of delivering her first baby, Boyer said, “I was extremely excited—and a little nervous. I was so excited afterward I could not sleep. I talked with my coworkers about how exciting it was and how blessed I felt to be a part of this amazing life event.” This was the 7th baby Marshall has delivered in the field (his first with
the Hazelwood Fire Department). Both were very surprised about receiving the “Chief ’s Award” as Marshall had never received any recognition for his previous deliveries and Boyer was just happy to be able to share the story with her friends. According to Chief Radel, “Bearing in mind the kinds of mayhem and disasters that our first responders encounter on a regular basis, I’m very thankful that Amanda and Kevin had the opportunity to help this mother bring a healthy baby into the world.”
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