Born in ambulance 42 years ago, firefighter-paramedic delivers baby in ambulance on his birthday

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - It was a very special delivery just in time for the holidays.

A baby girl couldn't wait to see her new family. So she showed up early.

The special circumstances of her birth have her forever bonded with the paramedic who delivered her.

Daniel Helsel was born and raised in Prince George's County. He has been a firefighter for nearly 20 years and a paramedic for 10 years.

On Monday afternoon, he was called out for a mom in labor.

"We had a pretty good inkling that it was going to happen soon," explained Helsel. "And we wanted to get her out of the apartment and down the steps before it happened. We got about half way down the stairs when she stopped and started to push. We had to gently remind her we needed to get her somewhere sanitary. So we were able to get her to the ambulance and onto the stretcher. And we could see the top of the baby's head. That baby was not going to wait."

Helsel happened to be in the best position to help deliver the baby. Seconds later she was out - the miracle of life.

But that is not the only amazing thing to happen on Monday. Helsel's parents showed up as he talked with FOX 5. They came to surprise him because Monday was his birthday too.

And one more thing. It turns out Helsel himself came into this world 42 years ago in an ambulance.

"We get on the Beltway and he says you are going to have to pull over because the baby is going to come," added Jesse Helsel, Daniel's father. "As soon as that ambulance comes to a stop - I don't even think it was fully stopped - the side door opens. A state trooper - our son's guardian angel - comes in. He doesn't say a word. He assists with the birth and then he leaves."

"I only had five contractions," said Nancy Helsel, Daniel's mother. "In 15 minutes, he was born."

It is an incredible story of life coming full circle - two strangers now share a unique bond.

FOX 5 is told the mother from Monday's call, and her baby named Zoe, are doing well.