Philadelphia Fire Lt. Jeff Beatrice knew something was really wrong as he drove down I-95 to catch up with the dot on the “Find My Phone” app. The dot represented the phone of his wife, who was 38 weeks pregnant and hadn’t come home from work and wasn’t answering calls.

“Nothing was making sense,” Beatrice said.

He would soon realize the dot represented Medic 12, which was taking 33-year-old Lisa Beatrice to a trauma center that was also capable of providing emergency neonatal care. A bad car accident in Northeast Philadelphia had knocked her unconscious, causing life-threatening injuries that also required the immediate delivery of the couple’s third child.

The critical decision by Paramedic Dave Reynolds and EMT Emily Serrano to choose that type of hospital – in addition to the care they rendered along the way – led to a positive outcome for mother and baby.

On Monday, the Beatrice family will watch Reynolds and Serrano be recognized as the PFD’s Paramedic & EMT of the Year. The event kicks off National EMS Week, which runs from May 20-26.

“If they didn’t make this expert decision and work together as a team, I strongly feel that the outcome may not have been the same,” said Paramedic Services Capt. Beth Glynn, who nominated them.

The day of Lisa’s accident had already been a tragic one for the PFD. Early that January morning, Capt. Matt LeTourneau had died in the line of duty at a house fire on Colorado Street. Jeff Beatrice spent the day visiting LeTourneau’s company, Engine 45 – where Beatrice himself was scheduled to begin a new assignment two days later.

When Beatrice arrived at Hahnemann Hospital later that night to find his wife, Reynolds immediately recognized him – Reynolds had taught Beatrice at the Fire Academy. “I took him aside to prepare him for the gravity of the situation,” Reynolds said.

The next few days were harrowing. But ultimately, Lisa and their newborn son came home to join their two young daughters (pictured above). Beatrice expressed gratitude for the support that flowed from all corners of the department. He even learned that PFD Lt. Matt Rock, who happened upon the crash while off-duty, was among the bystanders who stopped to help.

“Makes you proud and appreciative for the family you become a part of when you join the PFD,” Beatrice said.