A hospital police sergeant in the Bronx is being praised for her quick response after a routine patrol turned into a life-saving emergency at North Central Bronx Hospital.
Sgt. Saira Flores, an eight-year veteran at the Norwood hospital, was conducting a standard perimeter check on Jan. 5 when a driver sped into the ambulance bay from the wrong direction.
Flores said she immediately noticed that the passenger inside the vehicle appeared to be in serious distress. “While he’s pulling into the ambulance bay, I saw that [his passenger] was convulsing — his eyes were rolling back, and he was going back and forth in the car,” she recalled, describing signs consistent with a drug overdose.
Recognizing the urgency, Flores rushed to the vehicle, administered a dose of department-issued Narcan and radioed the emergency room to send medical personnel to the ambulance bay.
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“We are trained to render aid when necessary,” Flores said, reflecting on the incident. “Applying Narcan — it’s part of the training.”
The man was quickly moved into the emergency department, where he later regained consciousness. Hospital officials credited Flores’ fast decision-making as a key factor in the patient’s recovery.
“Sergeant Flores turned a routine patrol into a lifesaving mission, reminding us that in moments of crisis, one act of courage can change everything,” said Jose Nunez, assistant chief of Hospital Police at North Central Bronx Hospital.
Alfredo Jones, CEO of North Central Bronx Hospital, also commended her actions, saying in a statement, “Sgt. Flores’s decisive action is an example of the high standard of care North Central Bronx Hospital Police officers bring to this community every day.”
“In a matter of seconds, she recognized a life-threatening emergency, applied her training, and gave a patient the chance to survive this incident,” he said. “We are proud of her many years of dedicated service and grateful that she was on patrol at exactly the right moment.”
Flores, who is slated to be feted with the hospitals’ Good Catch Award, has already received a slew of other honors over her tenure – including several recognitions during Police Week celebrations.
