Unusual summer for RI firefighters: Three babies born during shifts

A Summer of Unforgettable Deliveries

Firefighters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, have always known that each shift can bring unexpected challenges. However, this summer proved to be particularly unique for a group within the Pawtucket Fire Department. In just over two months, they found themselves involved in three remarkable deliveries—each one leaving an indelible mark on their careers.

First Delivery: May 30

The first call came right at the start of summer. Firefighters Joe Heeps and Jack Donahue were dispatched to assist a woman in labor. Donahue arrived first and quickly realized the baby was on its way. “The mom looked at me and said she had the urge to push, which, as anyone in our field knows, means the baby is coming,” he recalled.

Once Heeps and his partner, Jake Morgan, arrived on the scene, they determined it was safe to head to the hospital. As they pulled into the parking lot, the delivery began. “Within a very short time, the baby was here, and we were right out front of the hospital at that point, so everything worked out perfectly,” Heeps said. The delivery went smoothly, though both firefighters described the quick ride to the hospital as “the longest ten minutes any of us have ever experienced.”

They later reunited with the healthy baby girl and her family, which was a rare and touching moment for the firefighters. “It was actually really nice to be able to see the positive outcome that we had,” Heeps said. “We usually don’t get to see that a lot.”

This event was especially meaningful for Heeps, as he and his wife welcomed their first child just weeks later on July 30.

Second Delivery: July 9

A few weeks later, firefighters Tom Mancini and Joe Santarpio were returning from another call when they received a dispatch about a woman in labor. Mancini was the first on the scene and found the woman on the bathroom floor in active labor. Santarpio arrived shortly after and helped make the mother and baby as comfortable as possible.

The baby had no time to wait, not even for a ride to the hospital. Mancini used a towel from the rack to catch the baby and wrap them. “I remember delivering the baby and looking up to see the engine company and Joe in the doorway of the bathroom looking at me,” he said.

The delivery was successful, with the baby crying shortly after birth. “It took her a couple seconds to cry. It feels like an eternity trying to stimulate and hear that cry, but once you do, it’s a very rewarding sound,” Mancini added.

Third Delivery: August 4

The third call came on August 4, around 4:15 a.m. Firefighter Matt Dallaire initially thought he was speaking with the patient outside, only to learn that her sister was upstairs giving birth. They rushed upstairs, and by the time the rest of the crew arrived, Mancini was already kneeling on the floor with the newborn crying.

“I remember Matt being so thankful that I arrived,” Mancini said. “‘Thank God you’re here,’ I think was his direct quote.”

For Andrew Donnelly, this was his first day with the department, making the experience even more memorable. While some firefighters have prior experience from other departments, the group has a combined 40 years of service with the Pawtucket Fire Department.

A Rare and Memorable Experience

Firefighters often deal with emergencies that require quick thinking and calmness under pressure. However, bringing life into the world is something that stands out as a rare and special occurrence. “That’s not something that any of us took lightly and not something any of us will forget probably for the rest of our lives,” Donahue said.

To date, all three mothers and babies are thriving. The experiences have left a lasting impact on the firefighters, reminding them of the unpredictable and meaningful nature of their work. Each delivery was a testament to their training, teamwork, and dedication.