January 4, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2012-01)
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
R. Steve Huffman
Public Information Officer
(251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861
E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org
DECEMBER FIREFIGHTER OF THE MONTH
On Monday, October 24, 2011, Mobile Fire-Rescue Driver Adrien Cordero, while on his lunch break from a Fire Officer I class he was attending on his day off, was traveling west on Airport Blvd when he witnessed a car traveling east come across two lanes of traffic into west bound traffic, striking another motorist before striking a tree. Without hesitation Cordero stopped to render care and upon assessment, determined that the patient was unconscious with no pulse. He pulled the victim from his vehicle, advised a bystander to call 9-1-1 and began CPR.
A few minutes’ later MFRD engine 9 and rescue 23 arrived on the scene, assisted with CPR, applied a monitor and shock pads and verified the patient was in v-fib (Ventricular fibrillation). A shock was delivered and CPR continued. While moving the patient to the stretcher the patient began to breathe on his own. Patient had a pulse, was breathing and combative in route to the hospital.
This morning at 7:30 a.m. Adrien Cordero will be presented the Firefighter of the Month award by the Pleasant Valley Opportunity Club at the Café at Virginia College in the Festival Center.
Attached is an email from the victim:
Dear Fire Chief Dean & Mayor Jones:
On October 24th at around noon, I left my office, got in my car and suffered a heart attack while driving. I crossed the median on Airport Blvd. and hit a tree, totaling my car. I have no recollection of the events of that day but here is what I have been told…
The airbag in my Ford Crown Victoria did not deploy, causing trauma to my sternum and, my heart had stopped beating.
An off-duty fireman by the name of Adrien Cordero saved my life. He saw the accident happen and immediately came to my rescue. It is my understanding that I had to be resuscitated three times. Adrien and the team on the scene never gave up on me. I am alive today because of his kindness, dedication and expertise.
When I was finally released from the hospital after a resulting quadruple bypass, I called Adrien to thank him for saving my life, and was struck by his amazing humility. This man whom I consider to be an angel on earth, was as humble as they come. It is for that reason that I felt compelled to write this letter. I would like to see Adrien get the recognition that he deserves for saving my life. It is hard to find a way to say thank you for the incredible gift that Adrien gave me that day. My hope is that the City of Mobile and/or the Fire Department can recommend this amazing angel for commendation or some other fitting honor.
That day, Adrien went above and beyond the call of duty by giving me a second (and a third and a fourth) chance at life! The least I can do is let the world know how wonderful he is for having done so.
With a Happy Heart,
Elwin Coe
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