FIREFIGHTERS are trained for almost every emergency under the sun, however, Cootamundra brigade captain Les Carr never imagined he would be called to use his midwifery skills on the job.
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His skills were put to the test in the wee hours of Wednesday morning last week when local mum Monique Lawrence went into labour, and there was only one paramedic in Cootamundra, Tim McGuire, available for the job.
Ms Lawrence’s baby, Lacey, was born in a flash, “she came out in 20 minutes; two pushes,” she said.
A light bulb broke while Ms Lawrence was in labour, to add to the ordeal, and so the baby was delivered under the light of an iPhone.
The operator soon realised emergency services would not arrive in time for the birth, so she stayed on the line and talked Ms Lawrence through the process.
“They were perfect, they were just so calm and got everything done,” Ms Lawrence said.
Ms Lawrence said the arrival of the fire brigade was a talking point in the neighbourhood on Thursday.
Mr Carr said there is a common misconception among locals that only paramedics are trained to assist with medical emergencies.
“People expect the ambulance to turn up, and when we arrive they think, ‘oh they’ve sent the wrong service,’” Mr Carr said.
It was one of the most rewarding jobs of his career.
