(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
FIRST RESPONDERS … Medic Nicole Stiriz, Advanced EMT Desiree Snyder, Firefighter Heather Singer, Police Officer Pat Lannan, and EMT/Firefighter Alan Bennett stand in front of the Fayette ambulance before receiving their stork pins.
STORK PIN … Pictured here is the stork pin that each of the first responders received for their recent actions at two OB EMS calls.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
Fayette first responders recently experienced a rare and remarkable series of events. Members assisted in the delivery of two babies within a three-week span, an occurrence many go their entire careers without encountering.
On February 27th, emergency responders were dispatched after a woman’s water broke. Advanced EMT Desiree Snyder and Medic Nicole Stiriz arrived at Bryan Hospital, where they successfully delivered the baby with the help of a nurse. For Snyder, this moment was both a challenge and a personal triumph.
“It was a pretty scary moment; everything happened so fast,” Snyder recalled. “But the baby and mom were fine, so that was good.”
“I used to be leery about deliveries because of a past experience, but this one had such a good outcome, and it helped me move past that.”
For Snyder, this was the first delivery of her 26-year career, making it a milestone moment. “I’m pretty excited now,” she said.
“It was a good experience to say I got to do this in my career, to bring something so precious into the world. Now that I’ve got the first one out of the way, I feel more prepared for the next.”
Less than three weeks later, on March 15th, Fayette first responders answered another OB call. Firefighter Heather Singer, Police Officer Pat Lannan, and EMT/Firefighter Alan Bennett were dispatched, arriving just in time to assist in the successful delivery of a baby within seven minutes of arrival.
For Bennett, this moment reaffirmed his commitment to service. “This is why we do it. We choose service over self so we can make a difference in our community and in the lives of the people who call upon us. Successful calls like this are exactly why we choose to serve.”
Lannan, who arrived first on the scene, explained it was an experience he will never forget. “It was terrifying at first, but once I got up to help her and waited for EMS, everything happened fairly quickly. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Singer credited the calm demeanor of her fellow responders for keeping the situation under control. “I was able to stay calm by going off of everyone else’s level of calm, which helped things go smoothly.”
“It was exhilarating, a magical experience and something I will never forget. It’s going to be a core memory.”
Fayette Fire Chief Thomas Franks praised the teamwork displayed across departments. “We’ve had two breathing babies brought into the world in a short time. It’s pretty impressive. I was particularly struck by the way our police officers and firefighters worked together seamlessly.”
“There has been so much negativity in the news about police, but they have always been here for us, ready to assist in any way they can. The teamwork on these calls was truly outstanding.”
With two successful deliveries in just a few weeks, Fayette’s first responders have proven their ability to handle even the most unpredictable emergencies.
Their dedication to service, teamwork, and compassion ensured two families received the best possible care in life’s most precious moments.
To that end, each of the members involved in the OB calls received a stork pin by Chief Franks, who presented the pins to each of them before placing it on their shirt collars.