Firefighters deliver baby girl in back of ambulance

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WXYZ) - Baby Ajia is very quiet and sleepy Monday afternoon but she caused quite a commotion during debut. 

Her mother, Nikesha Coleman, was in labor for 24 hours.  When it was time to go to the hospital, Ajia was ready to be born.

Nikesha only had time to call 911.  Eastpointe firefighters got the call at 5:01 Monday morning. 

“We were out of the station at 5:03. We were on scene at 5:07, the baby was out at 5:14,” said firefighter Joe Zangara.  “So it happened really fast.”

Zangara and fellow firefighter Kirk Lee are also trained paramedics. Within minutes they got Nikesha into an ambulance and delivered the baby. 

The two have never delivered a baby before.

“To be lined up in a five by five cage with a woman who was getting ready to give birth was intense,” said Zangara.

 “We train constantly on all aspects,” said Lee.  “EMS, fire, a lot of EMS.  It’s nice to see all of your training come to fruition.”

Nikesha is eternally grateful to them. 

“Oh they are a blessing.  I thank them so much," she says. "They did it so quick and a so fast. I love them, they helped me. They helped me through everything.”

She is relieved the birth is over and happy she can focus on her tiny little baby girl.

“I’m so happy she’s here and she’s beautiful,” said Nikesha.

Lee and Zangara, meanwhile don’t think they are heroes.  They tell 7 Action News they are glad their training helped bring new life into the world. 

“We’re not in it to be heroes,” said Lee. “We do what we do.”

Nikesha and Ajia are getting some much needed rest. Nikesha believes this will be her last delivery.