The City of Cape Town has lauded its firefighters as crew members delivered three babies since the start of December.
The fire station which seems to be a hot spot for moms in labour is Mfuleni.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith expressed his joy that firefighters could assist mothers in distress.
Smith said in the latest incident, a mother-to-be arrived at the Mfuleni fire station just before 10am on Thursday, December 12.
Eugene Meyering and Trevor Adams immediately sprang to action to assist.
“Firefighters jumped into action, and within 45 minutes, they had helped her deliver a healthy baby girl, and cut the umbilical cord. Mom and her bundle of joy were transported by ambulance to the Khayelitsha District Hospital,” Smith said.
On December 4, firefighters based at the Gugulethu Fire Station assisted an expectant mother deliver the first of a set of twins at around 5am.
“The second baby was delivered at the hospital a while later. Mom and her newborns are all in good health,” Smith said.
On December 1, two firefighters delivered a baby boy at the Mfuleni Fire Station.
Joswin Lameyer and Khuselo Blaai were at the firehouse when the mom-to-be arrived complaining of obstetric pains.
“At the rate our staff are going, we could very well have a junior fire crew by the end of the month. I am incredibly happy that all of the births were free of complications and that the moms and their babies are in good health. Fires tend to take most of the focus, but it is called the Fire and Rescue Service, and these incidents serve as a timely reminder of that.
"I also want to commend the staff members involved for being true ambassadors for the service,” Smith said.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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