As to why the Stockton Fire Department saw a baby boom, one wife said everyone might be at a similar spot in life because there were a lot of weddings recently.
STOCKTON, Calif — Twenty-two Stockton Fire Department employees welcomed babies in 2025.
Of the 22 employees, 19 are fathers working as firefighters, while the other three are mothers in administration and dispatch roles, according to wives who helped organize a baby photo the department posted Sunday to social media.
About half of the 22 employees are first-time parents, while the other babies may be their families’ second, third or fourth additions, the wives said.
The Stockton Fire Department employs about 214 firefighters and 35 more people in administration, training and emergency communications division positions, per Deputy Chief Erik Patten.
Capturing memories
The photo shoot capturing 15 of the 22 parents together with their babies was organized by Corinne Casey-Jones, Kristin Chamberlin and Crystal Rose, who spoke with ABC10 on Tuesday, and one other firefighter’s wife. Casey-Jones started the 2025 baby trend when her third child was born in January, Rose said.
The wives are part of the Stockton Fire Department Family Auxiliary, a nonprofit run by department family members of active duty or retired employees, Rose said. Mainly, the organization provides gift cards to families whose homes have burned down.
“Then, it really just brings all of us wives and family members closer together and…we have our people in that sense,” Rose said. “Other than just our husbands working together, we actually have that community, that friendship, that relationship outside of work as well.”
Through the auxiliary, the idea of the baby photo came about.
“Cori made all of the onesies for the babies, so definitely props to Cori on that one,” Rose said. “Kristin was our photographer and videographer on Sunday when we took the photo.”
Not every Stockton fire employee lives in or around the city, and it took a bit of coordination to find the best date and time to fit everyone’s shifts and not disrupt the work that fire personnel do every day, Chamberlain said.
“I think how many came out to it just for the sake of a hangout and a photo early at 9:30 really just showcases everyone’s just family-focused nature and willingness to participate,” she said.
‘They commiserate’
Having babies at the same time has allowed the firemen to offer one another advice, Chamberlain said.
In the spring, Chamberlain remembered two guys were each about to welcome their second baby, and for both men, the child was a different gender than their firstborn.
“They were all flipping stories of how to have a boy. ‘How do I have a girl? What’s different?’ And, it was very sweet to have them all kind of exchange knowledge,” she said.
The firemen also sympathize with one another, according to Casey-Jones.
“They commiserate,” she said.
Casey-Jones said she finds similar support among the mothers.
“If something is going to happen at home, it’s going to happen when our significant others are at work. It is just how it happens,” she said. “There’s so many times where I’ve called Crystal, who lives not too far from me, like, ‘Hey, there’s water shooting out of a pipe,’ or ‘There’s a big box I can’t move, and can you come over and help me?’ Or, just whatever it might be.”
There have not been huge changes to the firehouse after the babies were born, save some more bags under the eyes and a lot more little ones showing up to visit, Patten said.
Stockton Fire generations
“Baby booms come in waves,” Patten told ABC10. “This is the first time I remember this many in one year. That’s for sure.”
Patten said he has gotten to see several generations grow up, and the department is very close, so it will be super cool to see all these little ones grow up together.
“In 16, 17 years, see all these kids as teenagers together,” he said. “That’ll be a cool photo to circle back to.”
Patten has worked for the city of Stockton for years and said he remembers when one firefighter, who works with him now, was in diapers.
“For me, I think it’s exciting getting to watch the next generations come up behind me,” he said. “It happened fast, but I’m actually approaching the end of my career. So, to see this, all these new faces and these new families and these new kids come, it’s amazing. It’s awesome to see.”
As to why the Stockton Fire Department experienced a baby boom in 2025, there were a few different theories.
“They might need to change the water filters at the station,” Rose said with a chuckle.
Chamberlain said there have been a lot of weddings in the last couple of years.
“I think it’s just a product of guys being at a similar place in life,” she said.