Four Miami-Dade Fire Rescue firefighters were honored Thursday with the department's Phoenix Award after their actions led to the successful resuscitation of a person in cardiac arrest.

EMS Division Recognizes Four Firefighters

The EMS Division presented the award to firefighters Michael Buller, Ralph Ender, Christopher McKeehan and Jorge Patino, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue announced on X.

The department did not identify the patient, the location of the cardiac arrest or the date of the incident.

What the Phoenix Award Means

The Phoenix Award is MDFR's internal recognition for crews whose efforts bring a cardiac arrest patient back to life. The department describes it as honoring firefighters who help give someone a second chance at life.

The honor is rare by the numbers. The average survival rate for an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is about 10%, according to the American Heart Association, as MDFR noted in its Facebook announcement of the award.

Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay Stations

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue operates 71 stations across unincorporated Miami-Dade County and serves 29 municipalities, including Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. Local stations staffed by MDFR crews include Station 62 at 14251 Old Cutler Road in Palmetto Bay, Station 50 at 9798 E. Hibiscus St. in Palmetto Bay, Station 34 at 10850 SW 211th St. in Cutler Bay, and Station 55 at 21501 SW 87th Ave. in Cutler Bay.

How Residents Can Help During Cardiac Emergencies

The American Heart Association emphasizes that early CPR and defibrillation dramatically improve a cardiac arrest patient's odds of survival beyond that 10% baseline.

As we reported July 19, MDFR's free HELP program teaches hands-only CPR, AED use and bleeding control in a two-hour workshop. Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay community groups of 12 or more can schedule a session by contacting the department.

For emergencies, call 911. To reach Miami-Dade Fire Rescue headquarters, call 786-331-5000.