Firefighter of the Year

David Perez is awarded the Life Safety Award from Howe Fire Chief Robert Maniet at the December City Council meeting. Staff photo.

Howe Fire Chief Robert Maniet introduced David Perez as the Howe Volunteer Fire Fighter of the Year as well as Life Safety Award. Maniet said the Life Safety Award is the first one awarded in the history of the Howe Fire Department. Maniet says he was contacted by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Department

On Sunday, January 7, 2022, Grayson County dispatch was called for a suicidal suspect in which a person had taken approximately 30 pills. The patient was unresponsive and cold to the touch. David Perez responded to the call and began life saving measures. He continued for 35 minutes unassisted then advised law enforcement on the best way to assist the patient. Perez maintained the patient’s breathing until an ambulance arrived.

Perez had not yet obtained his EMT certification and was still in school training. His actions resulted in life saving measures.