Chattanooga, TN – A Chattanooga Fire Department lieutenant played an unexpected role in helping a family welcome their baby girl into the world early Thursday morning.
Around 1 a.m. on August 14, 2025, a mother delivered her daughter, Emma Lucille, on Interstate 75 while on the way to the hospital with her husband. Engine 8 from the CFD met the couple at a gas station on Gunbarrel Road, where Lt. Alexander Efiom, of Green Shift, provided immediate care.
Efiom ensured the newborn’s airway was clear and checked the vital signs of both mother and child until Hamilton County EMS arrived. The mother and baby were then taken to the hospital, where both were reported to be doing well.
The family later expressed gratitude to Efiom, thanking him for his actions and his daily service. “Thanks for all you did and thanks for all you do on a daily basis,” they said.
Earlier in his 24-hour shift, Efiom and his crew had attended an obstetrics class taught by Erlanger Women’s Services on assisting with newborn deliveries. The training, part of a longstanding partnership between Erlanger and the CFD, proved timely for the unusual call.
A father himself, Efiom said he was honored to be part of such a memorable moment for the family.