Cy-Fair Fire Department 2022 Heart Saver Award Winner Honored
By Tom Jackson, Former Texas SAR President
On January 17, 2023, Paramedic Diego Vargas with the Cy-Fair Fire Department was honored with the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Honor at the monthly chamber luncheon held at the Berry Center.
Chamber member and CFISD Trustee Tom Jackson made the presentation on behalf of the Chamber. The table sponsor was Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital. Paramedic Vargas received his award with his wife, Chief Amy Ramon, Deputy Chief Chris Nations, Assistant Chief Justin Reed and Harris County ESD No. 9 Commissioner Naressa MacKinnon in attendance. In his capacity as Former Texas SAR President, Tom Jackson also presented Paramedic Vargas with the National Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) EMS Medal and Certificate for accomplishments and outstanding contributions in the area of emergency medical services.
The commendation, read by Deputy Chief Nations, contained in part the following description. Diego Vargas is the recipient of the Cy-Fair Fire Department’s 2022 Heart Saver Award winner, which is awarded to the EMS member of the year with the most CPR saves. Last year, Diego successfully resuscitated 7 patients from sudden cardiac arrest. Paramedic Vargas was hired by the department on Feb 17, 2020, as an Attendant Paramedic. He quickly moved into the In-Charge Paramedic role in July 2020. Since that time, Diego has demonstrated himself to be a strong, knowledgeable, and dependable crew leader and In-Charge Paramedic. Diego continued to develop himself as a paramedic and in June 2022 was promoted to a P2 Autonomous Provider Paramedic where he continues to serve the Cy-Fair community today.
Deputy Chief Nations pointed out that many of their daily emergencies are time sensitive, but none more so than cardiac arrest.
“Thanks to intense training, the Cy-Fair Fire Department is proud to say that we have 38% success rate in getting a return of spontaneous circulation and delivering our patients to the Emergency Department with a heartbeat. This achievement is made possible by the dedication of the men and women who serve this community every day.”
The Deputy Chief concluded his speech by reminding the audience they play a vital role in the “chain of survival for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.” The Cy-Fair Fire Department offers regular CPR courses and hands-on CPR training at community events. The Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly luncheon where First Responders are highlighted for their contributions to the community.
For several years, the SAR Robert Rankin Chapter Public Service Committee, chaired by Tom Jackson with assistance from Allan Perkins, has presented the monthly honoree with one of the National SAR Public Service Medals and Certificates: Law Enforcement, Fire Safety, EMS, Life Saving or Heroism. In addition to the EMS medal, Paramedic Vargas, along with Chief Ramon, Deputy Chief Nations, Assistant Chief Reed and Ms. MacKinnon received a Certificate of Appreciation for Covid Heroic Service from the Rankin Chapter.
Photo Credit: Genesis Photographers (Photo L to R – Commissioner Naressa MacKinnon, Dep. Chief Chris Nations, Chief Amy Ramon, Congressman Morgan Luttrell, Honoree Paramedic Diego Vargas with his wife, SAR Robert Rankin Chapter member Allan Perkins, Asst. Chief Justin Reed, Cy-Fair Professional Fire Fighters Association President Chris Fillmore, Former Texas SAR President Tom Jackson)
