The day after the 8 year anniversary of the Pulse terrorist attack in Orlando, a responding paramedic received an EMS Educator award.
Carlos Tavarez was one of the first Paramedic’s on scene during the Pulse nightclub tragedy. He and his partner were responsible for transporting most of the victims who were injured.
Not long after, Tavarez founded the Orlando based EMS training company, The Rescue Company1 where first responders on every level learn how to sharpen their skills and become the best rescuers for the worst situations. Aside from running the company and serving as the company’s lead instructor, Tavarez is serving Florida as a Certified Flight Nurse and currently holds licenses and certifications as a Registered Nurse, Certified Trauma Nurse, Nationally Registered Paramedic, and was a Firefighter with Orlando Fire Department for twenty years.
Ironically, the day after the eight year anniversary of the Pulse shooting, Tavarez was awarded by the Florida Association of EMS Educators with the EMS Continuing Educator of the Year award.
“I started the company as an outlet after Pulse, a means to become a better rescuer. To build a team of instructors from some of the best professionals involved in emergency medicine here in Florida, so we can make others better, or as I like to say, so others may live, and we’re doing that now, not just in Florida but nationwide,” stated Tavarez. “So receiving this award the day after the anniversary of the largest tragedy of my career that changed so much for me personally and professionally means more than you can imagine.”
Tavarez and his team of instructors at The Rescue Company1 have also served in some of Florida’s other large rescue scenes. The company’s Medical Director, Dr. Ben Abo who also works as an ER Physician for Naples Hospital, served in the Surfside Condo collapse as the coordinating medical team manager for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team.
