ATTLEBORO — Chief Scott T. Lachance is pleased to announce that two Attleboro firefighters, who delivered a baby girl in the back of an ambulance last week, met the newborn and her parents for the first time since her birth on Thursday.

Parents Korissa Burch and Jesse Hester brought their newborn daughter, Addilynn Hester, to the Attleboro Fire Station to say thank you to firefighters Ryan Bielawa and Cameron Eames.

“She came so quickly. I was only in labor for about an hour. Jesse was dropping our other kids off at their grandmother’s house. If they hadn’t come I would have given birth to her by myself at home,” Burch said. “They knew exactly what to do, and by the time we got to the hospital the nurse opened the door and she was shocked that I was already holding her in my arms. I’m just so thankful for their professionalism and how well they handled everything. It definitely wasn’t how we planned it, but it all worked out great and I thank both of them.”

Wearing a white headband with a large bow on her full head of black hair, little Addilynn slept through most of the visit, even as dispatch calls blared over the speakers in the fire station garage.

Both Bielawa and Eames took turns holding the baby girl they helped bring into the world.

“It’s awesome,” Bielawa said. “I have a daughter of my own, so it’s bringing back all of those memories of when she was born.”

Eames said, “Usually we get an ambulance call that someone is in labor and we just transport them to the hospital and we don’t see them again. But this was different. It was definitely special.”

Chief Lachance presented both firefighters with certificates of commendation to recognize them for their efforts.

“This isn’t something that happens in our profession every day,” Chief Lachance said. “I’ve been a paramedic for 22 years and I’ve only done it twice. So we wanted to recognize the guys for a job well done.”

At approximately 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, the Attleboro Fire Department responded to a home on Peck Street, where Burch was in labor.

Burch was placed into an ambulance with the help of the firefighters. While on the way to the hospital, Bielawa delivered the baby while Eames drove the ambulance.

They were taken to Sturdy Memorial Hospital and were cared for until their release on Saturday, March 24.

Addilynn Raye Hester was born weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. She is Burch’s fourth child.

For both Bielawa and Eames, this was their first time delivering a baby.

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