Humble Pasadena paramedic Hurtado called hero

Victim remains in critical condition after attempting to saw his arms

The Pasadena Fire Department held a press conference Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Fire Station 33, to discuss a dramatic incident in West Covina where an off-duty firefighter-paramedic was called into action to render aid to a severely injured man.
Captain Art Hurtado and his wife Isabel were present along with Fire Chief Calvin Wells and discussed the Home Depot incident in West Covina Wednesday in which off-duty Capt. Hurtado found the victim in a pool of his own blood at a Home Depot store in West Covina after he allegedly attempted to cut his arms with handsaws.
Pasadena Fire Captain Art Hurtado was among the alarmed shoppers Wednesday when he noticed a flurry of activity to aid the man. He immediately told officers on the scene that he was a paramedic and asked if he could help. Officers replied in the affirmative and Hurtado hurled into action – albeit without his usual gloves and medical equipment.
“We are always in work mode,” Hurtado said. “As soon as I threw my keys to my wife, she knew saw the work and the stride that I had. And she knew, I’m working.”
“The officers had already found a man face down, multiple aisles, and the whole store is in chaos,” Hurtado said.
Hurtado said that as soon as he noticed the first saw with which the man cut his arms, he “thought it was just going to be a crime scene and a fatality.”
“I can save this guy, that’s what we do,” he said during the press conference.
Hurtado asked police officers for rope and towels in attempt to stop the bleeding.
According to West Covina police, the victim used several handsaws in the possible suicide attempt.
There was so much blood on the ground first responders were surprised he was still alive according to statements from West Covina PD.
The incident occurred at 12:20 pm after a 9-1-1 call saying that a man was cutting himself with a saw inside the home improvement center.
He had apparently “cut all the way down to the bone,” according to witnesses.
He was taken to Citrus Valley Medical Center in West Covina where he underwent surgery. His current medical condition is unknown.
It was all in a day’s work, according to a very humble Hurtado Thursday morning. “ I’m always on duty,” said Hurtado.
The victim’s identity has no yet been released but he is believed to be an Azusa resident.

Pasadena Fire Capt. and Paramedic Art Hurtado is flanked by his wife Isabel and Chief Wells during last week’s press conference held at station 33. -Photo by Terry Miller

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