Wildwood Firefighter Ron Harwood, second right, and Firefighter W. Belles with newborn Charlotte Zinkewich, Mark Zinkewich, and sister Isabelle. Photo by Robert F. Newkirk

WILDWOOD — Wildwood firefighters never know what their next call might be, a boardwalk blaze or helping deliver the newest member of the human race.

Such an event took place Feb. 27 at about 4 a.m. At that time, a maternity call was placed to the city’s police dispatchers.

On duty at that early hour were Wildwood Fire Department “B” Platoon members, Firefighter Ron Harwood and Firefighter W. Belles in Rescue 391.

Upon their arrival, according to a release, they found the mother in “imminent labor."

Belles and Harwood knew the situation meant an immediate delivery. Without complication, the pair helped deliver a healthy girl. Joining on the birth call were Wildwood Police Officers Jennifer Papaycik and Officer Don Boice.

On Wed., March 30, members of Wildwood Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association Local 50 met proud parents Mark Zinkewich and Elizabeth Joerger with newborn Charlotte Zinkewich and her sister, Isabelle, 3, at Wildwood Fire Department for a presentation of Stork Pins to Harwood and Belles. Those pins denote persons who helped deliver a baby.