LACKAWANNA COUNTY, Pa. — Four-week-old Eden Benjamin sleeps in the arms of her mother, Alison, inside the Benjamin family home. Alison and George Benjamin say their Spring Brook Township home was a bit more chaotic last month when baby Eden decided she wanted to make a fast entrance into the world. The Benjamins figured they had time to get ready to head to the hospital until time started to run out.
"I know it was starting, but I didn't think it was at the magnitude that we were developed at," Alison Benjamin said.
A quick call to 911 and first responders were on the way from the Moscow Fire Department. Assistant EMS Chief Austin Schrader says they weren't expecting what would happen next.
Eden wasn't waiting, and EMTs got to the house just in time to help make the delivery.
"Usually, we get there, and we show up, and they're doing alright, and we get them to the hospital, and they deliver there, but not on that night," Schrader said.
This was the first time since Eden's arrival that the Benjamin family was reunited with members of the Moscow Fire Department.
The Benjamins were able to present first responders with a coveted stork pin, received only when they deliver a baby in the field—something that happens so rarely that this was the first time in the fire department's history.
"Many people go an entire career in EMS and never get the opportunity to bring life into the world. We see so much tragedy, we see so much life ending that being able to be part of bringing life into the world is special," Schrader said.
"I didn't know it, but I prayed for this. It was wonderful. I was really glad you guys were all here to help me out with it," Alison said.
Alison and Eden did make it to the hospital to spend a couple of days monitored by doctors who said those first responders did everything right.
"Eden's tiny but mighty. She's been doing awesome. We were a little scared for a little bit because she wasn't really putting on weight, but it turns out somebody's a lazy eater," Alison added.