Three Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department personnel received commendation letters Monday afternoon during a special ceremony at Fire Administration.

Driver Joel Patnode and Firefighters Steve Ellison and Jeremy Spivey were presented commendation letters by Deputy Chief Toombs for their assistance with delivering a baby in the early morning hours on Labor Day, September 2.

The crew was dispatched to the home for a mother in labor. When they arrived on scene, the baby’s head was already crowning and the crew quickly jumped into action. They assisted the mother, Brooke Dittman, with delivery and immediately began steps to take care of newborn Molly.

They continued to assist with care even after Rutherford County EMS arrived on scene. Coincidentally, Molly was the first baby born on Labor Day 2013.

Patnode, Ellison, and Spivey had just completed a refresher course the week before the incident on labor and delivery and pediatric emergencies; they did not know at the time how soon it would be they would be implementing that knowledge.

Deputy Chief Toombs said, “It is not every day in our line of work that we encounter something like this. These three personnel helped to make sure the baby entered into this world safely and that the mother was taken care of as well.”

Toombs also commented on the commendation letters saying, “These letters signify your dedication to this department and to this community. Thank you for all you do. I’m proud that you are members of this department.”

The three crew members were also reunited with baby Molly, parents Chris and Brooke Dittman, and big brother Luke for the first time since that evening.

“We can’t get over how much bigger Molly is in just five weeks,” said Firefighter Spivey. “This was such a unique experience for us and something we will never forget.”

The Dittmans expressed their true appreciation for all the crew did that evening and were happy to be able to say “thank you” in person once again.

Source:

Ashley McDonald 
Administrative Support Specialist/Public Information Officer
Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department