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Off‑Duty Firefighters Reunite With 5‑Year‑Old They Revived From Hotel Pool

The filmed June 8 reunion highlights that immediate CPR by trained bystanders restored the boy’s pulse and spurred a local push for swim lessons and CPR training before summer.

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Broderick Espinoza was relaxing by the pool at the Plunge Beach Resort shortly after 4 p.m. on May 24 when a sudden call for help jolted him into action. A young child had been found submerged in the water, according to the news release. (BSO)
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Broderick Espinoza was relaxing by the pool at the Plunge Beach Resort shortly after 4 p.m. on May 24 when a sudden call for help jolted him into action. A young child had been found submerged in the water, according to the news release. (BSO)
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter and paramedic Broderick Espinoza was relaxing by the pool at the Plunge Beach Resort shortly after 4 p.m. on May 24 when a sudden call for help jolted him into action. A young child had been found submerged in the water, according to the news release. (BSO)

Overview

  • On May 24 a 5‑year‑old boy was pulled unresponsive from a pool at the Plunge Beach Resort in Lauderdale‑By‑The‑Sea and was resuscitated by off‑duty Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue firefighter/paramedic Broderick Espinoza and off‑duty Miami‑Dade Lt. Jesus Fuentes.
  • Two off‑duty nurses assisted the on‑scene effort until a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue units arrived and transported the child to a hospital for observation.
  • The boy regained a pulse on site, was kept overnight for monitoring, was released in good condition, celebrated his kindergarten graduation on June 1, and reunited with his rescuers on June 8 in footage aired by local outlets.
  • Broward officials used the case to issue specific safety advice including constant, arm’s‑reach supervision of young children, avoiding distractions when watching water, installing pool barriers and alarms, keeping rescue equipment and a phone nearby, and learning CPR.
  • Authorities and the family stressed that drowning can happen in seconds and brain injury can begin within minutes, and they pointed families to county programs such as Water Smart Broward for swim lessons and safety resources.