Emergency Service Dispatcher Helps Deliver Baby Boy on Long Island

A Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services dispatcher helped deliver a baby during a 911 call Wednesday morning.

The husband of a 38-year-old woman who was in active labor called 911 on his way to the hospital after his wife indicated delivery was imminent. The man pulled their Dodge Caravan to the side of the road in front of 3990 Nesconset Highway in East Setauket.

FRES Emergency Service Dispatcher Joseph Pucci, who has been training for the past five months, answered the 911 call at 9:53 a.m. After verifying the couple’s location, it was determined the woman was 36 weeks pregnant and this would be her fourth delivery. Pucci provided instructions to the woman’s husband and the baby, a boy, was delivered at 9:56 a.m.

Pucci provided further life support instructions to the father including, checking the baby’s breathing, keeping the baby warm and using a shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord. Pucci remained on the line until Suffolk County police officers and the Setauket Fire Department arrived.

The mother and baby appeared healthy and were transported to Stony Brook University Hospital by Setauket Fire Department Rescue.

“Thanks to the knowledgeable response from Emergency Service dispatcher Joseph Pucci, a baby boy was delivered safely this morning,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said. “Good training and clear thinking helped this couple and their baby just as it was needed. Congratulations to this family on their newest arrival.”