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Meridian recognizes Pam Garcia with Community Lifesaving Award after on-scene CPR at July crash
Summary
The city honored Pam Garcia with a Community Lifesaving Award after she provided CPR to an unconscious motorcyclist involved in a collision July 27, 2024. Fire and EMS staff credited her prompt actions with stabilizing the patient until paramedics arrived.
Meridian City Council on Jan. 21 presented a Community Lifesaving Award to Pam Garcia for rendering CPR to an unconscious motorcyclist after a collision on July 27, 2024.
Division Chief of EMS JD Hendrick described the incident: a motorcycle collided with a passenger car near Meridian Road and Chinden. The motorcyclist was ejected, was lying on the road and showed no pulse when bystanders arrived. An off-duty nurse, later identified as Pam Garcia, started CPR and continued life-saving measures until fire department paramedics arrived.
“Thanks to her quick actions upon arrival, the fire-department paramedics determined the patient was breathing normally and was starting to wake up,” Hendrick told the council. The injured rider was transported urgently to St. Alphonsus Medical Center, underwent weeks of rehabilitation and multiple surgeries and was discharged home, staff said.
Chief Wu and other councilmembers praised Garcia. “Your actions, courage and dedication saved a life. Congratulations,” Division Chief Hendrick said as he presented the award. Garcia accepted the honor modestly, saying she believed others in the room would have acted similarly.
The ceremony recognized the role a trained bystander can play during critical seconds before emergency crews arrive and served as a public acknowledgment of the city’s gratitude for civilian life-saving actions.
Speakers quoted in this story are fire and EMS leadership and the award recipient.
