The Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue team that responded to the scene, included EMS Captain Gareth Bradley, Captain Regis Smeltz, Lieutenant Sean Quintoni, and Firefighter/Paramedics Lisette Muñoz, Josef Pesta, Brett Ishmael, Fernando Gajate, and Roberto Di Piazza. They immediately began advanced life support interventions. Upon their arrival, the patient was pulseless and not breathing. The team provided several rounds of defibrillation, administered medications, secured the airway, initiated intravenous access, and delivered high-quality CPR. These efforts successfully restored a pulse, and soon after, the patient showed signs of spontaneous breathing and meaningful movement.

Due to the traumatic nature of the cardiac arrest, the patient was transported to the hospital by Air Rescue where a specialized cardiac trauma team received him. Remarkably, after a 16-day hospital stay, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation facility — alert, responsive, and continuing his recovery. This positive outcome was made possible by the uninterrupted links of the Chain of Survival: immediate recognition, early 911 activation, bystander CPR, rapid response by first responders, timely defibrillation, and advanced hospital care.

It is with great pride that the City of Weston recognizes Captain Gareth Bradley, Captain Regis Smeltz, Lieutenant Sean Quintoni, and Firefighter/Paramedics Lisette Muñoz, Josef Pesta, Brett Ishmael, Fernando Gajate, and Roberto Di Piazza as the Broward Sheriff’s Office Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services Employees of the Month for May 2025. The team was honored by the Weston City Commission during a special presentation given by Chief Todd Draizin at the City Commission meeting held on May 19, 2025.