Toledo. The delegate of the Government of Spain in Castilla-La Mancha, Milagros Tolón, has today delivered the decorations to the Merit of the Civil Protection of Castilla-La Mancha in a very emotional act in which 12 human stories worthy of praise have been highlighted. As the delegate said in her speech, “we value the sacrifice of the people who are dedicated to protecting us from all the dangers, emergencies and risks that occur in our daily lives. All of you have deserved these distinctions, either because you are the protagonists of outstanding and valuable events for the prevention and control of emergency situations or because of your attitude of relevant collaboration.”
Milagros Tolón has stressed that the strength and effectiveness of this model “rests, without a doubt, on men and women like you and you, who demonstrate an admirable capacity to respond to the difficult challenges we face, in many cases putting the lives of others before your own integrity. You represent all those who play their lives for others and it is only right to celebrate this act in which we turn the spotlight on and face the daily heroes, prepared to intervene, to help and cooperate when what the brain and the heart are asking is to take a step back and get safe.”
“We put face and name to our anonymous heroes”
An event that took place in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce, in Toledo, and in which, as the delegate of the Government has stressed, “we put face and also name to our anonymous heroes. Names like those of Manuel, David and Carlos, civil guards of Factories of Riópar (Albacete), who abandoned their weekly rest to join the relief work in the forest fire of Riópar of 2022.”
“Or the national police officers Óscar and David, whose intervention was decisive to save the lives of three people in different interventions carried out in the province of Albacete.”
“Also members of civil society, such as the marriage formed by Ángel and María José; and the young Samuel, from Ciudad Real, who saved the lives of two people thanks to their knowledge of first aid, thereby confirming that in the National Civil Protection System we are all necessary.”
“The work of the volunteers, now represented by the Civil Protection Group of Cuenca, which receives this well-deserved recognition, is also fundamental, as is David, firefighter from Guadalajara who, together with his dog Vito, participated in the rescue of people after the earthquake in Turkey.”
“Or the story of Jesus, national police, who intervened crucially in a traffic accident in Toledo, on the way to work, to save Elena’s life, initiating a beautiful link between the victim and his rescuer. A bond that is demonstrated by the presence of both in this act.” Milagros Tolón herself has asked Elena to hand over the medal to the person who found her, “remaining by her side with her life in suspense until the arrival of medical assistance. This is the powerful image that represents like no other the values of Civil Protection that we glorify today.”
Or the case of “Bernardo, with a broad vital commitment to Civil Protection from Villarrobledo, who makes up the last name of this list of heroes who are no longer anonymous and have the public tribute they deserve”.
“Examples of courage and solidarity”
Milagros Tolón has highlighted “the important work carried out by the Government of Spain to strengthen the Civil Protection System at all territorial levels as a pillar of the rule of law that saves lives and facilitates the unity of our country. The actions that are recognized today are an example of the courage and solidarity of its protagonists, but also of the fact that when we act together we achieve greater levels of success. Because our Civil Protection System is a world reference.”
Therefore, “the cases presented here represent a spirit of sacrifice that goes beyond professional commitment and, in the face of the hatred and individualism that sometimes prevails in our society, your actions reconcile us with the human condition. We have no words and there are no medals that can express the enormous gratitude for your work and your attitude dedicated to building a better society. It is an honor to give you these medals and a pride as Castilian Manchega to have fellow countrymen like you,” said the government delegate.
12 decorations, 12 stories of solidarity
Bronze Medal of Merit of Civil Protection with red badge for Jesús Manuel García Dorado, national police who currently serves in the Police Station of Talavera (Toledo). On January 17, 2022, he had a decisive humanitarian action following a serious traffic accident between several vehicles that occurred in Toledo. He was driving to the Senior Police Headquarters to begin his working day, met with the accident and together with a fellow trainee were the first to intervene, protect the area, notify the emergency services and help the victims. What made his intervention especially relevant was that, when there was barely light since it was seven o’clock in the morning, what looked like a hunter in the ditch, three meters from one of the vehicles involved, Jesus Manuel approached and verified with the help of the flashlight of his mobile that it was a woman (Elena) in a serious condition, which allowed his rapid assistance. The victim, after being admitted to the ICU, thanked the national police for their action by letter. As an emotional fact, today it was Elena herself who, at the proposal of the Government delegate, gave the decoration to her savior.
Bronze medal to the Merit of Civil Protection with blue badge for the civil guards Manuel Varea Noguero, David Soto Rodríguez and Carlos Robles López, with destination in the Factory Stand of Riópar (Albacete). On August 30, 2022, a forest fire occurred in the place “El Lagunazo”, in Riópar, which affected 80 hectares of land and various isolated and rural houses, youth camps and villages. The great virulence of the flames created a situation of danger and 195 people had to be evacuated. The three civil guards, who were on weekly rest, decided to help their companions and, aware of the orography and the dissemination of population centers in the area, collaborated in the eviction and evacuation work, isolating the fire area from any type of human intrusion that could lead to any danger to life. They took a great risk to their physical integrity, putting the evacuation of people first.
Bronze medal to the Merit of Civil Protection with blue badge for the national police Óscar Valdevira García and David Cuenca Gallego, assigned to the Provincial Police Station in Albacete. On June 4, 2023, they saved the life of a person who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation when they were in cardiorespiratory arrest. The same situation that was repeated again, with a second person, on August 25, 2023. And on September 22 of the same year they prevented, even endangering their lives, a person from falling into the void from an altitude of eight floors. Both stand out for their professionalism and dedication, being a reference and a stimulus for their colleagues.
Bronze Medal of Merit of Civil Protection with blue distinctive for the marriage formed by María José Barco Octavio and Ángel Manuel Pinardo Alhambra, from Ciudad Real. On June 28, 2023, they were driving in their car when they saw, lying on the ground, a young man who had collapsed after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest while playing sports on the street. Both did not hesitate to stop the car and go to his aid, performing a cardiopulmonary resuscitation before the ICU arrived. A CPR course she had done in her work helped save the young man’s life.
Bronze Medal of Merit for Civil Protection with red badge for Samuel Sánchez Palomo, a 27-year-old resident of Puertollano (Ciudad Real), for his diligent and heroic performance in saving the life of a woman who suffered a choking in the area of houses of the May Fair 2023. He practiced Heimlich’s maneuver and the choking person regained his breath.
Bronze Medal of Merit of Civil Protection with blue badge for the Association of Civil Protection Volunteers of Cuenca. A group of people who work non-profit and with a firm will to contribute to the society of Cuenca either in the most marked parties or in any sporting or solidarity event. As outstanding is its commitment in emergency situations, as happened during the pandemic, in adverse weather situations or in search devices for missing persons, collaborating closely with the State Security Forces and Bodies. There are more than 30 people who are in continuous training and who participate in help tasks in a commendable and supportive way.
Bronze Medal of Merit of Civil Protection with red badge for David Hernández González, corporal of the Fire Service of the City of Guadalajara and responsible for the Canine Rescue Unit. With Bomberos Girecan (International Rescue Group for Natural Disasters) he worked, together with his dog “Vito”, in the earthquake in Turkey in February 2023, in the search and location of victims buried under the rubble.
Bronze Medal to the Merit of Civil Protection with blue badge for Bernardo Coronado Ortiz, for his exemplary career of more than 40 years in the service of citizens from the Civil Protection Group of Villarrobledo (Albacete), always showing his willingness to help and collaborate. He signed up as a Civil Protection volunteer in 1982 and more than 40 years later he continues there. He was head of the Group for no less than 36 years, since 1987, and currently remains a volunteer. Of Bernardo we must highlight his absolute willingness to collaborate at any time, either in situations of extraordinary emergency or in tasks of support and advice to his colleagues.