BELEN—She was in the right place, at the right time, and knew what needed to be done to help a fellow employee.
Amanda Freeman, the Belen’s tourism coordinator, was surprised when Joshua Kerns, the city’s community and economic development director, announced he was recognizing her for lending a helping hand.
Amanda Freeman, the city of Belen’s tourism coordinator, was recognized by her supervisor and the Belen City Council for helping a fellow city employee during a recent medical episode. Pictured, in front, from left, are Joshua Kerns and Amanda Freeman; in back, from left, Belen Councilors Frank Ortega and Steve Holdman, Mayor Robert Noblin, and Councilors Tracy Armijo and Danny Bernal Jr. (Clara Garcia | News-Bulletin photo)
The incident occurred on Tuesday, Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day — at the Belen Community Center at Eagle Park.
“An individual at the Belen Community Center had a seizure and hit his head,” Kerns told the city councilors at the Feb. 20 council meeting. “After seizing, he stopped breathing. Amanda Freeman was there by herself, and she kept her composure.”
Freeman contacted EMS, and helped the person until emergency medical personnel arrived at the center.
“I want to present her with a certificate of recognition for the lifesaving work she did for this individual … on Feb. 14, 2023, helping a fellow employee,” Kerns said.
Clara Garcia is the editor and publisher of the Valencia County News-Bulletin.
She is a native of the city of Belen, beginning her journalism career at the News-Bulletin in 1998 as the crime and courts reporter. During her time at the paper, Clara has won numerous awards for her writing, photography and typography and design both from the National Newspaper Association and the New Mexico Press Association.
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April 18, 2024
