Firefighters, EMS Workers Deliver Baby On Election Day

LINDEN, NJ — Firefighters and emergency medical services workers in Linden were congratulated on Friday for their quick actions during the unexpected delivery of a baby earlier this month.

In a news release, Linden Fire Department chief William Hasko Jr. said the incident began the morning of Election Day, Nov. 3.

Around 7 a.m., first responders from the Linden Fire Department were called to a home in the 400 block of 4th Avenue after a woman reported being in labor. Fire Captain Jason Iozzi, along with firefighters Armando Crespo and PJ Valenza, found a woman lying in her bed in labor.

With the baby crowning, the firefighters and ambulance workers Zachary Modrak, Scott Solski and EMS supervisor Todd Felter also arrived on the scene with a birth kit.

The baby was delivered quickly and safely, and she, along with her mother, were taken to a hospital.

In the release, Hasko said the mother and her baby, named Deborah, visited the Linden Fire Department on Thursday to introduce the child to the firefighters who helped bring her into the world.

Deborah was born at 7:12 a.m. on Nov. 3 and weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces. The meet-and-greet was also attended by Councilwoman Lisa Ormon and 2nd Ward Councilman and Fire Committee Chairman Barry Javick.

"It was a pleasure to meet the family and baby," Hasko said. "I want to wholeheartedly thank them for all their kind words and gifts they brought. As Chief of the Department I must say I am extremely proud of the firefighter's actions and thank the City for providing us the resources to deliver prompt professional care to the citizens of Linden."