First District Public Safety Personnel Receive Lifesaving Awards

Our San Bernardino County Sheriff's and San Bernardino County Fire departments have been busy this month honoring several public safety personnel for their bravery and lifesaving efforts.

I would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of our First District heroes and thank them for their selfless and courageous service to our community!

• Mountain High Resort's Ski Patrol members Amando Hernandez, Joseph Valdez, Wyatt Benson, Rebecca Gilbert, Billie Davis and Jimmy Vu (pictured above) were honored with a Lifesaving Award by San Bernardino County Fire during this month's Wrightwood Community Services District meeting. Thanks to their quick thinking and training, they saved the life of a visitor who was having a seizure at the resort. 
• Apple Valley Station Deputy James Chapdelaine was honored for administering first aid to a stabbing victim, maintaining pressure on his neck until medical personnel arrived, and saving his life.
• Victor Valley Station deputies Michael Whitney, Veronica Stone, Andrew Collins and Robert Sanchez were honored for saving several adults and children stuck during a snow storm on "Gobbler's Knob" near Wrightwood.
• Hesperia Station Deputy Jonathan Campos was honored for administering CPR to an unresponsive man who overdosed on Fentanyl. When the fire department arrived, they administered Narcan and the man survived.
• CHP Pilot Officer Wes Cline, CHP Officer Alex Manciu, Sheriff's Air Medic Reserve Deputy Stephen Miller and Air Medic Dr. Robert Katzer were honored for their quick response administering medical aid and air transport to a man who was impaled by a tree branch near Kelso Dunes.
• Hesperia Station Deputy Elizabeth Holguin was honored for administering CPR to a suspected drug overdose victim. After receiving Narcan from fire department personnel, the man became responsive and ultimately recovered.
• Victorville Station Deputy Daniela Ramos was honored for saving the life of an unconscious woman who had overdosed on drugs. After two rounds of chest compressions, the victim regained a pulse and began breathing.
• Hesperia Station Corporal Eric Rose, Deputy Casey Allen, Deputy Jessica Aguilera, Engineer Mike Demoff, Deputy Jacob Hernandez and Deputy Dough Brimmer were honored for saving the life of CHP K-9 Sam, who was stabbed by a suspect hiding in a bush.

Thank you to all of the honorees! This recognition is well deserved, and we are so fortunate to have you serving our First District community!