Firefighters in Moita Deliver 15 Babies in Ambulances: A Record No One Wanted

Firefighters on the Front Lines of Births

This year alone, there have been more births in ambulances than in the entire previous year, all due to the closure of obstetric emergency services. Firefighters earning minimum wage are at the forefront of this crisis.

A Surprising Role for First Responders

Ruben, like many children who dream of becoming firefighters, was drawn to the trucks and the excitement of putting out fires. "Going to fires is what it means to be a firefighter," he thought, looking up to his uncles and brother as role models in the profession. "I always said I had no interest in ambulance services, that I wouldn't like it, I didn't want it—I wanted the fire trucks."

Official Data Highlights the Issue

According to official data from INEM, 32 babies have been born in ambulances in 2025 so far. In contrast, there were only 28 such births in all of 2024. This sharp increase underscores the strain on emergency services.

The closure of maternity wards has forced firefighters to step in, handling situations they never anticipated, with some describing it as an unwanted record.