A remarkable story unfolded when a group of California firefighters had the heartwarming experience of reuniting with a baby they had heroically helped save. This incident took place after the child was born on the side of the road, much earlier than her due date. It was a moment that would forever change the lives of those involved.

Firefighters' Lifesaving Act for Premature Baby

Journey to Hospital and Birth on the Side of the Road

Jazmin Quijano was 22 weeks pregnant in June when she unexpectedly went into labor. She was on her way to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stockton, but it was not equipped to handle a premature baby. So, she and her partner set off for UC Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento. However, the baby had other plans and was born on the side of Highway 99 around 2 a.m. local time. It was a terrifying moment for Quijano as the baby was unresponsive and not even moving.

Quijano showed incredible courage by performing CPR on her baby until the Sacramento firefighters arrived about five minutes later. This act of determination and love set the stage for a miraculous rescue.

Firefighters' Heroic Efforts in the Ambulance

Jeffery Switkowski, a firefighter from Fire Station 6, recounted that the baby still had no pulse and was not breathing as they loaded her into the ambulance. "We had to do CPR all the way to the hospital," he said. "We did everything that we could." The firefighters' unwavering dedication and medical skills were on full display during this critical time.

Their actions demonstrated the selfless nature of these heroes and their commitment to saving lives. Every beat of the CPR and every effort made in the ambulance was a race against time to give the baby a chance.

Baby's Long Stay in the NICU and Reunion

The baby, named Daleyza, spent at least 145 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before being released on Nov. 15. It was a long and challenging journey for both the baby and her family. But finally, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, Daleyza and the firefighters who had saved her life were reunited for the first time at Fire Station 6 in Oak Park.

Quijano expressed the significance of this reunion, saying, "Those are her first family. They’re going to always be family no matter what. … She’s always going to hear about them when she’s older and she has her own kids. We’re always going to talk about this." The firefighters also shared their emotions, with Switkowski calling the reunion "super special."

Dr. Steven McElroy, the chief of the neonatology department at UC Davis Medical Center, praised the firefighters' efforts, stating, "The odds of being able to survive what she did and do as well as she did is zero. So this is truly an amazing, amazing thing." Their heroic actions had a profound impact on the baby's life and the community.