Emergency Management Worker Delivers Baby On Courthouse Steps

(Juneau) Dodge County Emergency Management Deputy Director Joe Meagher says his training and quick thinking helped a mother who was going into labor outside of the courthouse. Just before 2pm on May 10, a father was driving his pregnant wife to the hospital but made a wrong turn and wound up at the municipal building in Juneau.

Court Security Deputy Kelly Cotter made initial contact and immediately paged an ambulance. Meagher says he looked out his office window, saw Communications Officer Christine Churchill running down the sidewalk and jumped into action. He says he grabbed his trauma and equipment bag from his truck and rushed to the scene. When he arrived, Meagher says the mother was adamant that the baby was coming and just moments later it arrived. The baby was delivered at exactly 1:59pm.

During a recent appearance on WBEV’s Community Comment, Meagher credited the training he has received over the years. He says the situation could have escalated because the baby had breached but thanks to the mother’s previous birthing experiences and the guidance of first responders the delivery was a success.

Meagher says there were no complications during the birth and the mother and child were transported to a local hospital for treatment. He also acknowledged Juneau Police Chief Dave Beal who helped with traffic and keeping the area secured.