Kayla Rose Mayo, born in Nenana Ambulance
Kevin and Danielle Mayo set out on the nearly 100 mile drive on the George Parks Highway from Healy to Fairbanks after Danielle realized she was in labor on a chilly night in February four years ago.
On the way, they opted for a little assistance from Nenana Volunteer EMS/Fire Department, though.
After Danielle and husband Kevin were transferred to the Nenana ambulance just south of Nenana, they headed North to Fairbanks followed by Danielle’s sister-in-law Kaeleen Ansley driving the vehicle they started out from Healy in.
Also riding with Kaeleen was Danielle’s Father and Mother, Dave and Peggy Talerico, and Kaeleen’s daughter, Hailee.
Revisiting the scene of the event are (left to right) EMT Adam White, EMT Chief Gene Jensen, Danielle Mayo & daughter Kayla, and EMT Susan Kaufman. Photo by Jessica Martin
Her birth was a first for the two newest crew members during that fast ride on icy slick roads that night.
Veteran Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Chief Gene Jensen’s two otherwise experienced volunteers, EMT Susan Kauffman and EMT Adam White, despite much training and preparation for an event like this, had ever actually taken part in the delivery of a real baby during their many years with the Nenana Department.
The three EMT’s, with Danielle in hard labor, tried their best to keep baby Kayla from being born before arriving at the hospital, but even with valiant effort at resisting the effort to “push” from Danielle, her baby girl refused to wait.
Standing next to the ambulance that Kayla was born in are (left to right) EMT Susan Kaufman, Kevin Mayo, daughter Kayla, and Danielle, EMT Chief Jensen, and EMT Adam White.
See the video below of parts of the chat between the EMT’s and Kayla’s parents Kevin and Danielle Mayo, as they reminisced recently while the Mayo’s were in Nenana for the annual Nenana Invitational Tournament, a basketball event.
Kayla loves tumbling, dancing and preschool.
Kayla’s Dad, Kevin Mayo, runs heavy equipment for Usibelli Coal Mine and Mom, Danielle, also works there, part time.
Kayla’s maternal grandparents are Dave and Peggy Talerico. Dave is the current Denali Borough Mayor and is running for Alaska State House District 8, and Peggy is a homemaker and volunteer with her church, and does occasional seasonal work.
Kayla Rose has a sister, Breanna Lynn, 7, and baby brother, Isaiah, 11 months old.
Kayla’s paternal grandparents are Scott and Vivian Mayo of Cantwell, Alaska. Scott is retired from State of Alaska Department of Transportation and is now working at Usibeli Coal Mine as well.
