At a Glance
- Katherine Sims gave birth to daughter Halle on a fireboat in Puget Sound after going into labor on Anderson Island
- The last ferry to the mainland had already departed when Sims called 911 on December 23, 2025
- Emergency crews transported her via fireboat, but the baby arrived at 12:01 a.m. on December 24 before reaching the hospital
- Why it matters: The dramatic delivery highlights the challenges of island living and the quick response of volunteer emergency teams
Katherine Sims never expected to deliver her baby on a firefighting vessel, but when labor started on remote Anderson Island, Washington, she had no other choice after the final ferry had already left for the night.
Sims was on the small Puget Sound island in Pierce County when she suddenly went into labor the evening of December 23, 2025.
“Panic, it was absolutely panic,” Sims recalled of the moment to local news outlet Fox 8 Live.
She immediately called 911, triggering a rapid response from volunteer EMTs and firefighters. When the crew arrived, they confirmed her fears: the baby was “absolutely” on its way.
The Race Against Time
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The last ferry to the mainland – and the nearest hospital – had already departed for the evening. The only option for getting Sims to medical care was a fireboat, a specialized vessel designed for battling fires on or near the water.
“They just scooped me up [and] put me down there [on the boat],” Sims told Fox 8 Live.
Getting her onto the vessel proved challenging. Emergency crews had to carefully maneuver her gurney down to the boat in the darkness.
“It was a whole process to get me down to the boat on the gurney in the first place. So, at that point, I’m realizing this is getting real, really, really fast,” she explained.
The journey across Puget Sound became increasingly intense. The boat’s movement through wakes combined with her contractions created an excruciating experience.
“Once you hit the wakes and with the contractions, it was ouch. It was absolutely painful as heck,” Sims remembered.
A Water Birth Like No Other
As the fireboat made its way toward the mainland, events accelerated rapidly. Sims’ water broke while they were still on the vessel.
“Okay, this is DEFCON,” she recalled thinking. “There is no way I’m making it to any hospital at this point.”
Despite the circumstances, Sims persevered through the delivery. With emergency personnel assisting, she pushed through the final stages of labor right there on the fireboat.
“And then those next two pushes, it was like, I did this. I am so proud of myself,” she said.
At 12:01 a.m. local time on December 24, 2025, Sims welcomed her daughter Halle into the world aboard the fireboat.
The Emotional Aftermath
The dramatic birth left a lasting impression on everyone involved. For the emergency responders, it represented the best possible outcome from a challenging situation.
Capt. Megan Arzola, the EMS captain of Anderson Island Fire and Rescue who assisted with the delivery, told Fox 8 Live that “these are honestly the kind of calls that we like to have, that we like to remember.”
“You hear that first cry – that first squawk – and a nice big deep breath, and it’s just kind of like everybody kind of took a big deep breath in,” Arzola described.
For Sims, the experience created an unbreakable bond with the emergency team who helped bring her daughter safely into the world under extraordinary circumstances.
“This is definitely one of those things I will never forget,” she said of the experience.
She expressed hope that her daughter will grow up knowing the story of her unique birth and the people who made it possible.
“I want her to see who rallied in her corner and helped her get to where she’s at,” Sims added.
A Heartwarming Reunion
The story didn’t end with the dramatic birth. On January 7, Sims reunited with the emergency workers who helped deliver baby Halle, creating an opportunity for gratitude and celebration.
Anderson Island Fire and Rescue shared the special moment on Facebook, posting a photo of the reunion and expressing their joy at seeing the family again.
“Today we were happy to welcome some special visitors to the station!” they wrote in the post’s caption.
“The Sims family, along with baby girl ‘Blueberry,’ stopped by to thank the first responders who helped them during their Christmas Eve fireboat ride. The Anderson Island Firefighters’ Association had a few small gifts ready for the family, and we were glad to see our new little islander again,” the post concluded.
The nickname “Blueberry” suggests the family has embraced the unique circumstances of their daughter’s arrival, turning what could have been a traumatic experience into a cherished memory.
Key Takeaways
- Katherine Sims gave birth to daughter Halle on a Washington fireboat after missing the last ferry from Anderson Island
- The dramatic delivery occurred at 12:01 a.m. on December 24, 2025, during transport to the mainland hospital
- Volunteer EMTs and firefighters successfully assisted with the water birth despite challenging conditions
- The family reunited with their rescue team on January 7, creating lasting bonds formed during an extraordinary birth experience
