MIAMI, Fla. (February 15, 2022) – On Friday, February 10 the South Florida American Red Cross recognized Jiovanni Puentes, Daniela Perez Herrera, Melissa Llerena, and John Toreno from Zoo Miami with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save a life.
Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.
On September 17, 2022 a face painting artist that had been contracted for a birthday party at Zoo Miami suddenly collapsed. After a call to Zoo Base requesting assistance Park Rangers Jiovanni Puentes and Daniela Perez quickly responded. The woman was unconscious and a pulse could not be detected. 911 was called for Fire/Rescue by Ranger Supervisor Melissa Llerena while Ranger Puentes began CPR, assisted by Ranger Perez. Through concise professional communication, Supervisor Llerena instructed Ranger John Toreno to immediately respond to the scene with an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) machine to help resuscitate the victim. She then met with Fire/Rescue paramedics to escort them to the scene. Following CPR being performed, the application of the AED was successful in restoring a pulse. Once Fire/Rescue arrived on scene they took over and transported the victim to the hospital but not before saying what an amazing job the above-mentioned staff members did in most likely saving this woman’s life. The victim remained in the hospital for several days but was stabilized. This team of frontline employees worked together like a finely tuned machine in handling every aspect of this emergency and their actions resulted in saving the life of this woman.
Due to the quick actions of these four park rangers, they were able to save a life.
For their incredible act of service and quick actions, Rangers Jiovanni Puentes, Daniela Perez Herrera, Melissa Llerena, and John Toreno have been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action & Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.
All four recipients were awarded during a special ceremony hosted at Zoo Miami attended by colleagues, Red Cross staff and board members on Friday, February 10, 2023.
“Jiovanni, Melissa, John and Daniela are extraordinary heroes who embody the spirit of the Red Cross. Their quick and decisive actions during a crisis demonstrate the highest level of courage,“ said Deborah Koch, Executive Director of the Red Cross Greater Miami & The Keys Chapter. “They are now among a very special group of people worldwide who have received this honor and we commend them for their heroic and selfless actions.”
Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.
Nominate Someone
If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @SFLRedCross.
