City of Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services crew members recently went above and beyond the call of duty when they assisted in the delivery of a baby in a grocer’s store on Voortrekker Road.
On Monday, 16 January 2012, a crew was dispatched to a maternity call in Parow. On arrival, they found a 21 year-old woman who was seven months pregnant. She was in an advanced stage of labour and the crew soon realised they would have to perform an emergency delivery of the premature infant.
The new-born baby was found to be unresponsive, was not breathing and had no pulse. Hypoxia had also discoloured the infant’s skin, which was prominently blue.
The crew recognised the seriousness of the situation and acted in accordance with standard infant rescue resuscitation protocols. Numerous attempts ensured the spontaneous return of the infant’s breathing and circulation.
Both infant and mother were referred to the nearest hospital in a stable condition.
“The crew who assisted will receive a formal commendation of service from the City for not only displaying exceptional skill but peak proficiency within their scope of practice. Their quick-thinking and hard work saved the infant’s life,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman J.P. Smith.
