BROWNSVILLE, Texas (May 4, 2017) – On Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at a Regular Board Meeting of the Brownsville Navigation District, Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo presented the first-ever Fire Chief’s Life Saving Award to Port of Brownsville Police Officer Jose Luis Ramirez, in recognition of his outstanding performance and exceptional lifesaving emergency care rendered on September 14, 2016.

On the morning of September 14, 2016, the Port of Brownsville Police Department responded to a reported major vehicle accident on State Highway 48 in Brownsville. Port of Brownsville Police Officer Jose Luis Ramirez came upon a critically injured man; among other injuries, he was bleeding profusely from his right arm.

Police Officer Ramirez made a split-second decision to apply a tourniquet, placing it on the man’s lacerated arm and successfully slowing the bleeding. The Brownsville Fire Department arrived on-scene and provided patient care, including advanced life support interventions and protocols.

Ramirez’s quick intervention and effective application of the tourniquet provided the man sufficient time to be transported to a hospital for further treatment. Due to Ramirez’s prompt actions, the man is alive today.

“As first responders, all too often, we are reminded of how fragile life is and how quickly our loved ones can be taken away from us,” said Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo. “The selfless and heroic acts of Officer Jose Ramirez are a reminder of how fortunate we are to have the highly trained officers of the Port of Brownsville Police Department who have made the commitment to protect our Port and the citizens we serve.”

It is the mission of the Brownsville Fire Department to preserve life and property, promote public safety and foster economic growth through leadership, management, and actions as an all-risk, life-safety response provider. The Department focuses its efforts on responding rapidly to emergencies, providing appropriate intervention and community education.

Learn more about the Brownsville Fire Department at: http://www.cob.us/374/Fire-Department.

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Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo and the Brownsville Fire Department with Port of Brownsville Police Officer Jose Luis Ramirez and his family.

Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo addressing the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners. 

Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo addressing the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners.

Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo and Port of Brownsville Chief of Police & Security Carlos L. Garcia.

Brownsville Fire Chief Carlos Elizondo and Port of Brownsville Chief of Police & Security Carlos L. Garcia.