In a dramatic turn of events on December 3, an SUV traveling along Nanaimo’s Duke Point Highway became the setting for an unexpected and miraculous birth. The incident unfolded when a volunteer firefighter, Lieutenant Jason Devisser, of the Extension Volunteer Fire Department, found himself in a unique and unplanned role during his return from an annual inspection.
Devisser, who is also the department’s chief mechanical engineer, was heading back from the Berk’s Intertruck facility after overseeing the inspection of a fire truck when he encountered an SUV that would change the course of his day. What initially seemed like a routine drive quickly turned into an emergency situation that he never expected.
A Flash of Hazard Lights and a Desperate Call for Help
As Devisser was driving west on the highway, he noticed an SUV with its hazard lights flashing, speeding past his fire truck. The vehicle swerved in front of him and then abruptly slammed on the brakes, forcing Devisser to stop. The frantic driver jumped out of the SUV, waving his arms, and immediately asked Devisser to call 911.
“I’m like, ‘OK, what’s going on?’” Devisser recalled. “And he said, ‘My wife just had a baby in the car.’”
At that moment, Devisser’s focus shifted from the road to the emergency unfolding before him. He quickly assessed the situation, noting that the baby was already in the mother’s arms. Despite the unexpected circumstances, Devisser’s primary concern was ensuring that both the mother and the baby were okay.
“I saw the child in her arms, and one of my first thoughts was, ‘I’ve got my No. 1 pumper out of district, and I’m in trouble,’” Devisser said, referring to the fire truck he was driving, which was out of its designated service area.
Assessing the Situation and Calling for Help
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Devisser immediately contacted emergency services and called for an ambulance. At the same time, he made sure to check that the baby was breathing, had good color, and appeared to be healthy. He also took a quick look at the mother, confirming that she was alert and in stable condition.
During this time, Devisser was in communication with the ambulance dispatcher, who instructed the parents to warm up the vehicle and cover the newborn to keep him comfortable. Devisser was impressed by the calm demeanor of the parents despite the circumstances.
“Everybody was healthy and happy and unusually calm,” Devisser remarked.
Although Devisser was unable to provide medical assistance—since he was not in his role as a first responder and was not part of a firefighter team at the time—he did what he could to ensure safety. The fire truck was positioned to shield the SUV from the flow of traffic, as the vehicle had pulled over just west of the MacMillan Road overpass.
However, Devisser found himself in an awkward situation as he was covered in dirt and grease from the fire truck inspections he had been conducting earlier in the day. He admitted that, under normal circumstances, he would have been more prepared, but the unexpected nature of the birth left him unprepared.
“I didn’t even want to get close. I was moving trucks and dealing with greasy stuff all day. I didn’t even grab gloves or anything,” he said, adding, “I wasn’t expecting that.”
A Good Samaritan Response
Although Devisser was not technically in a position to act as a first responder, he did his best to offer reassurance and assistance. He explained that, given the situation, he could only act as a good Samaritan to ensure everything was under control. Despite his lack of formal medical training for childbirth, he stayed by the SUV, offering support until emergency medical teams arrived.
“I could be a good Samaritan, I think, but everything was under control and the ambulance people just took care of it,” he said.
Within about 15 minutes, paramedics from Nanaimo arrived on the scene to take over the care of the mother and her newborn. Firefighters from North Cedar Fire Department, who cover the area south of Nanaimo, also responded. Deputy Chief Jason Payne from North Cedar Fire Department arrived just as the scene was winding down.
“Everything Was Good”: A Safe Arrival
Payne reported that by the time his team arrived, the birth had already occurred, and the mother and baby were both in stable condition. He described the scene as calm, with the baby crying and the mother appearing happy and healthy.
“One of our command trucks got on scene, and mama had already given birth to the baby,” Payne said. “She was good. She was happy and healthy, and the baby was crying, so all the good things.”
Payne also mentioned that his crew regularly trains for childbirth scenarios as part of their firefighting duties. While childbirth calls are rare, training for such events is standard, as it helps prepare first responders for a variety of emergency situations.
“It was funny because we had just trained on this last week,” Payne recalled with a laugh. “It’s something that we train on, but we don’t go into a lot of detail on it because it doesn’t happen a lot… and then, sure enough, two days later, we get a call.”
Despite the training, Payne noted that it’s not common for firefighters to assist in actual births. He praised the calm and organized response from all involved, from the initial call to the final transfer of care to the paramedics.
Devisser’s First Experience with a Highway Birth
For Devisser, this was the first time he had encountered a situation like this in his career. Although he has been involved in countless emergencies, the experience of witnessing a birth on the side of the highway was unprecedented.
“Never. Not like this, no,” Devisser said. “I didn’t even know what to tell dispatch. It’s one of those things that happens, and you just do what you can.”
In retrospect, Devisser expressed gratitude that the situation ended on a positive note. Despite the unusual circumstances, both the mother and the baby were safe, and the emergency response team was able to take over quickly. Devisser also emphasized the importance of staying calm in such unexpected situations, noting that he was grateful for the support from the ambulance and fire teams.
Conclusion: An Unlikely Hero in the Right Place at the Right Time
Lieutenant Jason Devisser’s unexpected role in the birth of a baby on the Duke Point Highway serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of emergency services. Whether he was acting in his official capacity as a firefighter or simply as a good Samaritan, Devisser’s quick thinking and calm demeanor ensured the safety and well-being of the mother and child until professional medical teams arrived.
While Devisser’s involvement was not part of his formal duties, it highlights the importance of community and the vital role that volunteers like him play in emergency situations. For the family, the day will forever be marked by a surprising and life-changing event, and for Devisser, it was a moment he’ll never forget.
The happy outcome, coupled with the skilled response of all involved, turned what could have been a chaotic and stressful situation into a memorable and heartwarming story of community support and resilience.
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