Rockville Centre police officers, firefighters help deliver baby in car

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Last month, members of the Rockville Centre police and fire departments helped deliver a baby when a pregnant woman went into labor early on Halloween.

On Oct. 31 at 11:46 a.m., crews from each of the departments were dispatched after receiving word that a woman was in labor. The parents were on their way to a local hospital to deliver their son when the mother, Shelane (the departments did not wish to include her last name due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) went into labor earlier than expected.

Former Fire Chief Louis Franco and Officer Eric Hores were first on the scene to help her, and two Northwell medics weren’t far behind. Rockville Centre Fire Chief Jim Avondet, a critical care emergency medical technician, also arrived along with more RVCFD crews, which included Tony Rugolo, fire medic Lt. Mike Wooram, former Captain Kim Martino and EMTs Paige Sansone and Aiden Stutzmann.

The professionals worked closely together to safely deliver the baby, Nathaniel, in the backseat of Shelane’s car. The baby and his parents were then transported to North Shore University Hospital, where Shelane and Nathaniel were both healthy and fine.

“I’m grateful that I was there to assist and work along with my fellow first responders,” Avondet said. “I thank them all for a job well done, and Dad is doing well, too.”