This is the proclamation read by Vista Mayor John Franklin at Tuesdays City Council Meeting
WHEREAS, it is with heartfelt appreciation that we recognize the Sheriff’s deputies who have performed heroically in their service to the Vista community. On May 17, 2023, at 10:37 hours, a call for service was received by the Sheriff’s Communication Center to assist the Vista Fire Department at a residence in the City of Vista. The Fire Department had been dispatched to a two-year-old that began choking while eating grapes. It was also reported the child was not breathing.
Deputies Frank Ramos, Jose Galvan, and Marcos Andrade were near the location and responded to the call. Upon arrival, Deputy Ramos and Deputy Andrade immediately started life saving measures while Deputy Galvan handled radio communications. deputy Ramos picked up the child and turned him over, so his stomach was facing down. Deputy Galvan reminded Deputy Ramos to place his hand on the child’s jawline. Deputy Ramos began giving back blows to the child’s upper back with an open palm in an effort to dislodge the grape caught in his throat. During this time the child would start and stop breathing. Deputy Galvan asked Deputy Ramos to clear the child’s airway of any obstructions and a few pieces of grapes fell out of the child’s mouth. Deputy Andrade comforted the child with works of encouragement.
When deputies handed the child to the paramedics who began trying to dislodge the grapes. Deputy Andrade accompanied the child in the ambulance to Tri City Hospital. While enroute, Deputy Andrade assisted paramedics with administering oxygen to the child. Once at the hospital, the emergency room team took over. The staff used tongs to remove a grape that was lodged far down the airway. The child had to be intubated but would survive.
The hospital staff, along with the help of our deputies, and the paramedic team, showed true heroism and calm during a very intense situation which allowed the child to survive. The Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Manager who was working in the emergency room when the team arrived, said if the deputies and paramedics had not arrived as quickly and performed life saving measures, the child would most likely not have survived or had permanent brain damage.
Thanks to Deputies Ramos, Galvan and Andrade’s quick response, calm demeanor, and professionalism during an intense critical incident they were they were able to save the child’s life.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Mayor and members of the Vista City Council extend their heartfelt gratitude to Deputies Fran Ramos, Jose Galvan and Marcos Andrade, and ask all to join in honoring and recognizing them for their heroism, life-saving actions, humanity, and dedication to Vista’s community, while enhancing the overall quality of life and make the world a safer and better place.
