Pictured: (L-R) Brendan Beliga, holding son Zach, AV paramedics Chris Collard and Jamie Joseph, ESTA call-taker Amelia Kenny holding baby Christopher, AV paramedics Bethany Smith and Reva Jeboo, Shallan Biddle.
A young Sunbury family has thanked the Triple Zero (000) call-taker and paramedics who helped deliver their baby boy. Shallan Biddle gave birth to Christopher at her home in July.
Dad Brendan Beliga said: “I had one hand on the head of the baby and one hand in my pocket to call Triple Zero (000) because I didn’t know what to do.”
Emergency services call-taker Amelia Kenny talked Beliga through the process. When the four responding paramedics arrived on scene, both mum and baby were doing well.
“When we walked in, dad and new big brother Zach was there. Dad had done an amazing job to follow ESTA’s instructions over the phone,” said Ambulance Victoria senior team manager Chris Collard.
“We assessed mum and baby and made sure everyone was OK. There’s always a risk of complications with a birth so we are thinking 10 steps ahead about what might happen. Thankfully there weren’t any issues in this case.”
Ms Biddle said she was comforted when the paramedics arrived.
“I remember them coming in to check the baby and me. It was a breath of relief,” she said. “I heard my baby make a noise and that was the best sound.”
Paramedic Jamie Joseph said the parents did a remarkable job.
