Kennewick paramedics ‘excited to be a part of’ rare surprise delivery

A team of paramedics made a surprise, rare delivery in Kennewick on Monday.

An expectant mom called 911 to ask for an ambulance ride to the hospital about 11 a.m. after she feared she was giving birth early, Interim Fire Chief Michael Heffner told the Tri-City Herald.

Two paramedics and an EMT responded to the central Kennewick home and helped her to the ambulance.

But the baby wouldn’t wait.

The mother-to-be started giving birth as the ambulance was pulling up outside the hospital.

Heffner said the paramedics on board helped deliver the infant in the ambulance and then got them safely inside.

Both the baby and mother were doing well when they were transferred, Heffner said.

While paramedics and EMTs are trained on how to handle delivering a baby, it’s rare, he said.

The interim chief later took ice cream over to the crew at the Morain Street station to celebrate a job well done.

He said they participate in baby deliveries occasionally, but it’s highly unusual for them to do a full delivery.

“We’re pretty excited to be a part of that,” he said.

This story was originally published August 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM.