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NORCO — Just over 18 months ago, courageous first responders from the Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department and St. Charles Parish Hospital EMS jumped into action to rescue a severely burned 54-year-old man from a trailer engulfed in flames.

Mr. Cliserio “Chucky” Colmenares was pulled from the structure in critical condition and immediately received lifesaving treatment from EMS professionals. After months of treatment and rehabilitation, Colmenares made a full recovery and was able to share his story with other burn victims. On July 19, Colmenares and his children visited the Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department facility on West B. Street to personally thank his heroes.

With his daughter serving as a translator, Colmenares offered words of heartfelt appreciation to those who were there for him during his time of need.

“He admires every single one of you,” his daughter said. “You give a second chance at life. You give back life.”

Last year, Lieutenant Michael Wright, Medical Officer Natalie Wright, and Firefighter Blake Estevez were awarded Life Saving Medals for swift response, rescue operations, and rapid application of crucial medical treatment related to this response.

The Norco Area Volunteer Fire Department was notified of a structure fire on Good Hope Street the evening of December 9, 2021. Fire Chief Kenny Wenning Jr. recalls that fighting the fire was like “fighting the devil himself.” After initially receiving the wrong address, Wenning smelled the fire while traveling down Apple Street and soon spotted flames and smoke emitting from a single-wide trailer. About two dozen non-English speaking residents were gathered outside, and the language barrier made it difficult to gather information. Responders decided to treat the scene as a rescue until proven otherwise.

Inside the trailer, Michael Wright took over suppression operations, and Estevez began a rescue sweep of the area. He immediately located a man lying prone in the living room, with burns covering areas of his arms, chest and face. On the east side of the trailer, the kitchen was fully engulfed in flames, and the entire structure was filled with heavy smoke.

Wright aimed spray nozzles at the fire to create a barrier of protection as he and Estevez lifted the victim and carried him outside. Colmenares was placed on a gurney as Natalie Wright began treatment, placing an airway into his trachea and working on him until he was transported to University Medical Center.

Chief Wenning said making entry on a mobile home is a difficult task, and the successful rescue exemplifies the purpose of fire services. The operation would not have been possible without a myriad of support from each team member completing their job in a timely manner.

Colmenares personally handed pins to all who responded to the scene during the meet and greet Tuesday evening. In addition to the volunteer fire staff, representatives from St. Charles Parish Hospital EMS played a major role in saving Colmenares’ life.

Paramedic Kevin Gauthier and EMT Shane Dawson met Colmenares outside that night and immediately began treatment. The EMS team was thankful to see Colmenares alive and in good health Tuesday evening.

Gauthier thinks back to the rescue whenever he needs inspiration to never give up.
“It’s easy when you’ve been working this job for a long time to lose that ability to put the effort in to work hard and find it deep down to try and save a life. Sometimes when I have that feeling in my heart, I go back to this call,” he said.

St. Charles Parish EMS Director Huey Marcel said the rescue was a reminder of the importance of training and education programs, which are especially critical in rural areas where transportation to the emergency centers could take 45 minutes or more.
“Calls like this are not easy for the firemen and really anyone involved, especially EMS. These are the calls that make you want to keep learning and furthering your education,” he said.

Marcel added that in the past year, the fire department and EMS personnel have expanded their working relationship to offer top-notch, collaborative care to the         .