Plainfield Firefighters Deliver Baby In Parking Lot In Snowstorm

PLAINFIELD, IL — Amid gusts of wind and heavy snow Wednesday morning, Plainfield firefighters delivered a baby girl in the parking lot of Jimmy John's off Route 59.

Around 7:30 a.m., firefighters got a call for possible childbirth taking place near the intersection of Fort Beggs Drive and Route 59. The family was on their way to a hospital when they had to pull over for an emergency delivery.

Fire Chief Jon Stratton told Patch because of the continuous snowfall, plows were struggling to keep up with cleaning the roads.

Crews arrived at the Plainfield Plaza parking lot at 7:31 a.m., and a healthy baby girl was born at 7:41 a.m. Stratton, who was briefly at the scene, said crews put a makeshift tent around the car to give everyone privacy.

"It was really kind of crazy because it was in the middle of the snowstorm," he said. "They had to get blankets to keep them warm."

Once the baby was born, an ambulance brought them to a hospital closer to Plainfield, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, according to Stratton.

"It was unbelievable out there," Stratton said. "You had everything going against you. We took extra personnel to the hospital, but hopefully, everything pans out and everything works out with the family. They'll have a crazy story."

Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis also commended the emergency crews for their unique work Wednesday morning.

"A lot of people aren't fans of winter, but a winter wonderland like today is very beautiful, aesthetically," Argoudelis told Patch. "Wonderful surprises come from this kind of beauty, including the birth of a healthy baby girl. I understand that mom and baby are doing very well."

Plainfield police were at the scene to help, but firefighters did the heavy lifting, according to Police Chief John Konopek.

"It was a job well done by everyone," Stratton said. "It's a bright moment, and it's a nasty day."