Front-left to right- Chief Jason Everett, David Stranc/dad/fiancé, Samantha Lee/mom, back row-left to right-Tom Garlock/Firefighter, and Chris Holley/Certified First Responder. (not pictured Don Roblee)
It was an early morning surprise that brought together members of the Pavilion Fire Department and a family on Sparks Road.
The call for a 23-year-old going into labor for her first time came in to Genesee County dispatch about 2:30a.m., January 21st. Chief Jason Everett, Firefighter Tom Garlock, Certified First Responder Chris Holley and Firefighter Don Roblee all responded to the call along with Mercy Ambulance.
(Left to right- Chief Jason Everett, CFR Chris Holley and Firefighter Tom Garlock with Rescue 80 that also responded to the call)
“We had just turned onto Sparks Road and the dispatcher said what’s your location, because it sounds like the baby was coming, so when we got there, mom was in position and ready to go,” says Garlock. Grandma Joyel (who had delivered a baby before) was taking instruction from Dispatcher Nate Fix as firefighters arrived.
At that point, Chief Everett played the doctor role and CFR Holley played the nurse role.
“I was primary, and Chris was secondary, he was helping me with what I needed, says Chief Everett. The fiancé was trying to help deliver the baby before I got inside. I took over delivery and within 5 minutes, the fiancé was doing time of contractions, the baby was crowning.”
Garlock then took over command of the scene.
“I was the cheerleader in the background on the radio. I was in contact with dispatch and Mercy Ambulance to see what their ETA was. I was standing in the doorway, and I heard Mercy Ambulance was on location, so I was going to tell them to hurry up and come inside because it’s happening. As I’m doing that, I started to hear the baby crying. I’m like oh, baby is delivered.”
Cinderella was born at 2:55a.m.
Chief Jason Everett was able to hold Cinderella and talk with the family on Friday night after a visit to see how everyone was doing
“As soon as we all heard the baby crying, we were all relieved. Thats’s the best sound I’ve heard in years,” says Chief Everett.
Everett, who has been a Medic for 33 years, says he was a little nervous the first 30 seconds. He says being calm and thinking of the steps in his training immediately came to mind. Especially since it’s a training they do not do often.
“This was a first one for all of us except for Don Roblee who had delivered a baby in the past, he was outside assisting with the ambulance getting into the driveway as it was post snowstorm. So, waking up from a dead sleep to delivering a baby within 20 minutes.”
That morning, the Pavilion Fire Department was without one of their most experienced members, Rescue Squad Lieutenant Amanda Holley, who is quite versed on the subject of labor and delivery. She was working at her regular job as an RN in the labor and delivery department at Millard Fillmore Suburban. Amanda heard the call for her department.
“The thing about precipitous labors like that is they’re usually pretty smooth, there is usually not any complications. I’ve delivered two babies in the hospital because the doctor could not make it and they always go so smooth and so fast which is nice.”
The Lee Family- Uncle Troy with Dave and Samantha and baby Cinderella, (back) Chief Jason Everett, Firefighter Tom Garlock, CFR Chris Holley, Grandpa Chris Lee and Grandma Joyel Lee.
Baby, mom and dad were transported together by Mercy Ambulance to Unity Hospital in Rochester. Cinderella weighs 7lbs and is 19 3/4 inches long. For first time mom Samantha Lee, the experience will be one to remember.
“My water broke at 2:05am. I never thought it would happen so fast. Everyone kept telling me it takes 24 hours, 48 hours, (laughs) no she’s coming now! I was like, well if this baby is coming, we’re gonna be prepared. Let’s go, we’ll just do it. I felt her pushing more. I just laid myself on the floor and my mom (Joyel) called 911.”
Lee says she believes she was in labor for most of Saturday, but doctors told her she must have been experiencing false labor pains. Her due date was January 19th.
“I was just happy to have more people here to support me and help me through it. I felt like I was in good hands.”
Cinderella and mom came home from the hospital this past Tuesday. Mom and baby are doing well. Father and fiancé, David Stranc, could not take his eyes off his new baby daughter.
“I was planning on doctors delivering my kid and not having our delivery at home, that was my plan, but it didn’t happen. All that matters is she is here and that’s all I care about.”