A very young Kirklander is likely to have a particular childhood hero for the rest of his life.

Kirkland firefighters helped bring a baby boy into the world just before 8 p.m. on Friday, July 1. Firefighters responded to a call involving a woman in labor, and were able to assist in the delivery process.

“As firefighters we must be ready for anything at any time,” said firefighter Ryan Stevie. “Sometimes this means handling crisis or exigent circumstances, sometimes this means dealing with death and loss, but on the rare occasion we get to assist with the delivery of a new life.”

IT'S A BOY! A27 assisted in the delivery of a baby boy born at 1954hrs last night. Both mom and baby are doing well.

— KirklandFirefighters (@IAFF2545) July 2, 2016

Stevie said the baby boy, whose name has not been released, was healthy at birth.

“It is calls like this that refresh our perspective to why we chose this wonderful career,” he said.