By Reema Makani
Public Relations Specialist, San Diego Medical Services
Earlier this year, San Diego County and the public safety community were rocked to their core when a 24-year-old EMT was killed in the line of duty.
On the morning of April 1, 2010, San Diego Medical Services (SDMS) ambulance BLS22 was returning from a call on SR163 when they saw a car accident on the side of the freeway. Concerned that there might be injuries, the unit with EMTs Esteban Bahena and Paul Santos pulled over to assist.
After checking to make sure medical assistance was not needed, EMT Bahena proceeded to set out road flares to warn oncoming drivers. During this process, Bahena was struck by an oncoming vehicle traveling at freeway speeds.
Upon seeing his partner severely injured, EMT Paul Santos rushed to render aid to his partner and good friend. Santos performed CPR for several minutes while a fire engine arrived, and Bahena was transported in the back of his own ambulance, BLS22. Santos rendered aid en route to the hospital, and at one point regained a pulse upon arrival in the emergency room.
Sadly, despite the efforts of all involved, EMT Bahena passed away later that morning. The SDMS workforce was stunned and grieving, and the outpouring of support from the community and other EMS agencies was overwhelming.
“Our entire workforce was shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of Esteban,” said San Diego Medical Services Director of Public Affairs Michael Simonsen. “While we deal with tragedies every single day, it was particularly difficult for the workforce to deal with the loss of one of our own.”
Bahena’s passing rippled throughout the public safety and medical community in San Diego and all across the nation.
“Medical professionals at the hospital, who tried so hard to save Esteban’s life, are accustomed to seeing the aftermath of horrible accidents every day, but were moved to tears by the accident that befell Esteban,” said San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Javier Mainar. “They recognized, as we all do, that this young man’s life, so full of promise, was lost in the service of others.”
Bahena’s memorial was held at the Rock Church on April 9, where hundreds of his friends and family honored his life.
“I learned so much from Esteban as a person and a colleague, and I am so blessed to have known him,” said good friend and Firefighter Ray McQueen. “Esteban was truly one of San Diego’s bravest, and we will all miss him dearly.”
Just hours before he passed, Bahena wrote his last post on Facebook: ‘I love my job.’
“That is very indicative of how Esteban lived his life,” said McQueen. “He cherished every moment, and wanted everyone around him to laugh and love.”
San Diego Medical Services established the Esteban Bahena Memorial Fund, where nearly $8,000 was donated by colleagues, friends and the community. All funds were given to Bahena’s family.
“As EMS professionals, we dedicate our lives to serving others,” said Simonsen. “Esteban paid the ultimate price and lost his life doing what he loved. His diligence and smile has been greatly missed among our ranks.”
Bahena was born and raised in San Diego, and had been a San Diego Medical Services employee since August 2008. He attended San Miguel High School, obtained his EMT certification from Miramar College and his Bachelors in Psychology from UC San Diego. He is survived by his father and two sisters.
Reema Makani is the public relations specialist for San Diego Medical Services. SDMS is a public-private partnership between Rural/Metro Ambulance and the city of San Diego. For more information about SDMS, please visit www.SDMSE.com.