On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, Alexis Viveros, a twelve-year-old student at Bell Gardens Intermediate School, and his family, reunited with County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) firefighters and other first responders to express their sincere gratitude for saving his life.
Earlier this year, Alexis Viveros suffered a cardiac arrest while at school. The quick action by school safety officers and a school nurse to apply cardiopulmonary resuscitation was critical in helping to keep him alive. In addition to CPR, Bell Gardens Police Officers arrived at the incident and applied the use of an automated external defibrillator until LACoFD firefighters from Fire Station 39 (FS 39) and Falck Ambulance Emergency Medical Technicians arrived to take over and transport Alexis to a local area hospital.
The reunion was attended by LACoFD Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone who joined the Bell Gardens School Principal, Montebello Unified School District officials, the Bell Gardens Police Chief, and Viveros family in praising the personnel from FS 39 and the other first responders for their heroic efforts and collaboration that resulted in Alexis surviving this cardiac incident.
“This is an excellent example of everyone coming together to save a life,” said Chief Marrone.
Fire Captain Jeremy Collings, Fire Fighter Specialist Joshua Hirst, Fire Fighter Paramedic (FFPM) Steven Libbrecht, FFPM Thomas Sullivan, FFPM Nicholas Cervola, and Supervising Fire Dispatcher Robert Diaz were amongst those honored during the reunion. The sentiment of the reunion underscores the very few times that first responders get to meet patients they have saved and witness a full recovery.
Alexis gave a heartfelt dance performance during the ceremony to express his appreciation for the life-safety action taken by all the first responders that resulted in his ability to continue living life as a talented student and to be with his family.
