Merrimack Firefighters, Paramedics Help Deliver Baby Girl

It's been a happy day in the Merrimack Fire Station, and surely a very happy day for the Springfield Circle family who welcomed a baby girl into their lives this morning with assistance from four firefighters and paramedics.

A medical call came in to the Merrimack Fire Department at 7:27 a.m. requesting help for a woman in labor on Springfield Circle. According to the incident report from the call, the Merrimack Fire Rescue arrived at the house 10 minutes later and were met at the door by the father-to-be.

The four responders – Master Firefighter/Paramedic John Chisholm, Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Penerian, Firefighter Keith Hines and Lieutenant Shawn Farrell – learned the childbirth was in progress and imminent. 

Six minutes later, they had helped deliver a healthy baby girl who they then transported with mom and dad to the Elliot Hospital in Manchester.

Merrimack Fire Marshal John Manuele said Friday afternoon that this is not a frequent occurrence for his department, that they help deliver a baby probably once every few years.

And it was a great way to start the day, he said. 

"It's not often that we go on a medical call that's a good thing," Capt. Manuele said. "... Everyone's in a great mood today because of it."