LAFD Firefighter Paramedic Randall Robles, 2026 EMS Provider of the Year, right, with LAFD EMS Division Chief Manuel Pacheco at Tuesday’s County Council meeting in White Rock. Photo by Dave Krueger/LAC
Los Alamos Fire Department personnel at Tuesday’s County Council meeting in White Rock, celebrating Emergency Medical Services Week. Photo by Dave Krueger/LAC
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
Just about everyone in Los Alamos County knows someone who has received emergency medical care from LAFD EMS at one time or another. Los Alamos County Council on Tuesday evening proclaimed May 17-23, 2026 as “Emergency Medical Services Week in Los Alamos”. The proclamation was accepted by LAFD EMS Division Fire Chief Manual Pacheco.
In our county, LAFD EMTs and Paramedics are generally first on the scene to stabilize people experiencing sudden, life-threatening medical events, whether they are at home or at the grocery store or at a public event. If you have waited to hear that LAFD siren sound closer and closer, when you or someone nearby needs medical response, you know how important these first responders are in our lives. EMS are dispatched along with fire engines to manage motor vehicles, falls and household injuries, cuts and breaks. They are there when we receive vaccination for COVID, and as we heard Tuesday evening, they are being trained to participate in Active Assailant Response alongside law enforcement.
The County proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS, emergency medical services are a vital public service who provide lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; an
WHEREAS, access to quality emergency care-provided by first-responders, pre-hospital nurses, hospital staff, and trained members of the public-dramatically improves patient survival and recovery rates; and,
WHEREAS, emergency medical services provide important, out-of-hospital care, including preventative medicine, follow-up care, and access to telemedicine; and,
WHEREAS, career and volunteer emergency medical services team members engage in thousands of hours of specialized training to enhance their lifesaving skills; and,
WHEREAS, this year’s theme of Improving Outcomes, Together, highlights the shared responsibilities of keep our community healthy and investing in emergency medical services.
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim May 17-23 2026 as:
“Emergency Medical Services Week”
in Los Alamos County, and I encourage everyone to join in recognizing this milestone and to show appreciation for the dedication and service of our Los Alamos County first-responders.
DATED this 12th day of May 2026.
Chief Pacheco thanked Council for the proclamation.
“Your continued support means a great deal to our department and to the men and women who serve this community every day,” he said.
This year’s EMS Week theme is “Improving Outcomes, Together.” Pacheco said to celebrate, LAFD has planned a full week of activities to recognize and engage EMS personnel. He said each day will focus on an important aspect of emergency medical services, including safety, clinical excellence, teamwork, and wellness.
“We will host daily activities and educational quizzes for our EMS providers, along with opportunities to win EMT-themed prizes to make the week both meaningful and enjoyable,” he said.
Pacheco said a special highlight of Tuesday evening was recognizing Firefighter Paramedic Randall Robles, who has been named LAFD 2026 EMS Provider of the Year.
“We are proud to honor Randall for his dedication, clinical skill, professionalism, and compassionate patient care. Joining him tonight are members of his Station 3A crew, Deputy Chief Tim Johnson, A Shift Battalion Chief Jeff Saiz, the Station 6A crew, and our EMS Division — all of whom play an important role in supporting excellence in patient care throughout our organization,” Pacheco said.
He acknowledged Fire Chief Erik Litzenberg, saying he truly wanted to be present to support and recognize the EMS personnel, but who unfortunately had a prior family obligation that prevented him from attending. He said that Litzenberg had asked that his pride and appreciation for these crews and their accomplishments be shared with Council.
“In the spirit of this year’s theme, I would also like to recognize the team that competed in this year’s Active Assailant Response Workshop in Moyock, North Carolina. This intensive training event brought together DOE Protective Force members and DOE fire departments from across the country to train and evaluate advanced active assailant response capabilities under realistic, high-stress conditions,” Pacheco said. ” Our personnel excelled during deliberate practice sessions, graded drills, and large-scale training evolutions that tested incident management, Rescue Task Force operations, coordinated tactical movement, hemorrhage control, casualty collection, patient care, transport, and evidence preservation,”
Despite difficult weather conditions during the final day of graded drills, he said LAFD team members continued to perform at an exceptionally high level, demonstrating professionalism, resilience, and teamwork throughout the week.
“I am proud to announce that the team earned 2nd place overall, further demonstrating that the Los Alamos County Fire Department remains among the top DOE fire departments in the nation for active assailant response preparedness. Please join me in congratulating
“Captain Raymond Barela
Captain Paramedic Andres Madueno,
Acting Captain Aron Williams,
Driver Engineer Paramedic Eric Gonzales
Driver Engineer Paramedic Ryan Wolf
Firefighter Paramedic Randall Robles
Firefighter Paramedic Cory Miller
Firefighter Brit Parrish, and
Firefighter Paramedic Chad Drummond.
“Thank you all for your commitment, training, teamwork, and outstanding performance,” Pacheco said.
He particularly recognized Captain Paramedic Andres Madueno for the exceptional leadership, professionalism, and positivity he demonstrated throughout the week, saying Madueno “consistently set the tone for the team through his work ethic, tactical expertise, mentorship, and ability to motivate those around him under demanding conditions.”
“His calm leadership and steady presence during high-stress scenarios directly contributed to the team’s success, cohesion, and overall performance throughout the event. It is no surprise that he was selected to receive the Warrior of the Week Award, an honor recognizing the individual who best exemplified outstanding performance, dedication, teamwork, and attitude during the training,” Pacheco said. “This recognition reflects not only his tactical abilities, but also the respect and admiration he earned from both his peers and instructors throughout the workshop. Captain Madueno represented the Los Alamos County Fire Department with excellence, and we are extremely proud of his accomplishment and leadership.”
Pacheco again thanked Council for recognizing the vital work of LAFD EMS professionals.
“We are honored to serve this community and remain committed to providing the highest level of emergency medical care possible And once again, congratulations to Firefighter Paramedic Randall Robles and Captain Paramedic Andres Madueno,” he said.
Scott Pappano, right, Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).congratulates LAFD Capt. Paramedic Andres Madueno on being awarded Warrior of the Week at the Active Assailant Response Workshop in Moyock, North Carolina. Video from the training may be viewed through the following links. https://www.instagram.com/reels/DX-gMRIM_rr
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYEdWWNumQm/
Photo Courtesy LAFD
Scene from the Active Assailant Response Workshop in Moyock, North Carolina where a team from LAFD participated along with DOE Protective Force members and and DOE fire departments from across the country. Photo Courtesy LAFD
Scene from the Active Assailant Response Workshop. Photo Courtesy LAFD
Scene from the Active Assailant Response Workshop. Photo Courtesy LAFD
Scene from the Active Assailant Response Workshop. Photo Courtesy LAFD