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Congratulations to Firefighter Dean James, Jr., recipient of the City of Coral Gables “Firefighter of the Month Award,” for the month of January 2018.
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Firefighter Dean James, Jr. has been selected January’s Firefighter of the Month for his outstanding display of individual initiative surpassing job requirements and concern for the public, specifically for his courageous actions while rendering aid to a man trapped inside a car in a canal. FF James didn’t hesitate to jump in the water to find a male victim who was unresponsive. FF James tried to extricate the man from the car but soon realized the man was trapped by his seatbelt. A police officer arrived on scene and assisted him with a knife. FF James used the knife to cut the seatbelt freeing the man. FF James and the police officer swam to the water’s edge dragging the 400 lb. man. They then hoisted the man up a very steep 15 foot embankment where a rescue truck was waiting for the patient. Resuscitation efforts produced a weak pulse; but unfortunately the man died at the hospital about 3 hours later.
FF James takes his oath to protect people very seriously and selflessly put himself in harm’s way to protect a stranger. FF James’ sense of duty is evident whether he is on or off the clock. His actions on January 3rd were nothing short of heroic and he is truly deserving of this award.