Megan Warfield, a Maryland firefighter, is wired to help others. When Megan Warfield, a pregnant 30-year-old, was involved in a multicar collision earlier in the month and became a passenger in it, she ignored her labor contractions to save someone trapped in their car.
Warfield, who appeared on TODAY Oct. 13, explained that she was initially able to get out of her car in order to direct traffic. Then she noticed a car that was overturned.
“I started to climb in there with her, but then I was like, ‘What are you doing? You’re nine months pregnant,’” Warfield told TODAY Parents. “I ended up holding onto her to keep her in place because I wasn’t sure of her injuries at the time.
“It was also important that I keep her calm,” Warfield added. “It was a pretty traumatic event.”
Courtesy Megan Warfield Megan Warfield, a Firefighter, was nine-months pregnant when she was injured in a multicar crash. She decided to sacrifice her safety in order to help others.
After paramedics arrived to assist, Warfield, who was on desk duty during the termination of her pregnancy decided to go to Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins Hospital to be checked out. The accident had induced labor and, unbeknownst to Warfield, had knocked her unborn baby into a traverse — or sideways — position.
“I don’t know how I did what I did because the cramping was so bad,” Warfield said, when asked how she was able to get down on the ground and help. “I must’ve just been running on adrenaline.”
Joshua Daugherty, Warfield’s boyfriend, gave birth to Charlotte on October 4, just 24 hours after the crash. Charlotte joined her siblings Ellie (6 years old) and Jameson (5 years old).
Fun fact: Daugherty (a paramedic) was one of first responders to the scene.
Baltimore County emergency medical service (EMS) units transported six patients to two local hospitals, according to Elise Armacost, director of public affairs for the Baltimore County Fire Department. All injuries sustained at transport were not life-threatening and all except one of the patients had minor injuries.
Joanne Rund, Fire Chief, praised Warfield’s actions via an email to TODAY.
“We take pride in our dedicated Fire and EMS personnel. Rund said that they not only give their best when on duty but also when off duty. “We congratulate FF Warfield and her family and appreciate her service.”
The Bowleys Quarters Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department praised a “selfless” Warfield on its Facebook page.
“Ignoring any chance she could be injured, Megan immediately exited her mangled vehicle and began providing care to a person trapped by their overturned car,” the post reads in part. “After all patients were evaluated, Megan agreed to an evaluation herself.”
Warfield was described as a “true public service” by the department.
Warfield stated TODAY that she was doing administrative work during pregnancy and had missed her old duties.
“I’ve been itching to get back out,” she admitted. “It’s what I was meant to do.”
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