MANATEE COUNTY, FL – Two brave Manatee County EMS first responders are being commended for their heroic efforts during a recent incident on May 31. While attending to a disoriented driver in a parked car, a gun was pulled while assessing the patient’s vitals.
Manatee County EMS arrived at 2600 53rd Avenue West in Bradenton and the driver was unresponsive in the vehicle in the middle of the road. Manatee County EMT Joe Savasta broke open the back window of the driver’s vehicle and then put the car in park and took the keys out of the vehicle. Manatee County Paramedic Carlos Santos then was able to attend to the man in the driver’s seat. As the first responders attempted to check the man’s vital signs, the patient reached for a handgun in the car, pointing it towards the first responders. The paramedic team sprang into action, managing to restrain the man, extract the firearm from his hand and pass it safely to a nearby Manatee County Sheriff’s Deputy. The driver was then taken into custody before anyone was hurt, thanks in large part to the two Manatee County EMS professionals.
Public Safety Director Jacob Saur calls their actions heroic and courageous. Saur was joined by EMS Chief James Crutchfield earlier today to present Paramedic Carlos Santos and EMT Joe Savasta with a certificate for their life-saving actions.
Watch the video below to hear Paramedic Carlos Santos and EMT Joe Savasta tell their story and answer questions about their heroic actions. Also included is the body cam footage capturing the whole event.
https://youtu.be/CnPuBIkes18https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVXiFYLEGqc&ab_channel=ManateeCountyGovernment
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Body Cam Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uaclehjHdE&ab_channel=ManateeCountyGovernment
Manatee County EMS Ambulance Video
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