Alex Espendez, a paramedic with the Plantation (Fla.) Fire Department, was presented with the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association “EMS Award of Excellence” at Fire Rescue East, in Jacksonville, Fla., Fire Chief Robert Pudney announced.

Espendez was recognized for his efforts at the scene of a bus crash on August 7, 2004. As part of the award presentation, Chief Pudney described the events of that evening.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, at approximately 2100 hours, Espendez, while off-duty, was returning from dinner with his wife Monica. They were traveling along the Turnpike near Boca Raton when they observed a school bus in the canal that bordered the Turnpike. The bus appeared to have been involved in a motor vehicle crash.

When Alex and his wife stopped to offer assistance they realized there were children on the bus and several of them were under the water.

Along with a BSO deputy, Espendez, an eight-year veteran of the Plantation Fire Department, began pulling the children from the water. Seeking immediate refuge Espendez took a position on top of the bus. The deputy then handed him two children, neither of which were breathing.

“It was amazing,” stated Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Lieutenant Manny Mayo. “When I arrived I observed a Hispanic gentleman on top of the bus shouting to me exactly what he needed. He immediately called for the dive team, multiple rescues and the Trauma Hawk.”

Lt. Mayo, who was on the first engine company to arrive, further indicated he turned to inform his chief what was going on and when he turned back he observed Alex on the roof of the bus performing CPR on two children.

According to other accounts there were a total of 25 children on the bus. Through the efforts of Alex and the BSO deputy all but three children survived. At least one of which Alex was able to resuscitate on scene.

As part of the award, the Department was presented with a $1,000 check from Municipal Equipment Corp.