Bergheim VFD, Kendall County EMS and Others Host Awards Ceremony

Group of people, including individuals in dark uniforms, posing indoors near a window.
Seven people stand in front of a screen displaying a car accident photo and

Today your Bergheim VFD,  Kendall County EMS , The Kendall County Community and TEXAS have a proud story to tell. An awards ceremony was held at Security Service Federal Credit Union and in conjunction with  Heroes in Arms (South Texas Blood & Tissue),  South Texas Blood & Tissue, and DreamWeek San Antonio titled Revelations: The Unsung Heroes. 


Today’s ceremony will be featured on FOX SA 9@9 https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local

Here are excerpts from Fox San Antonio News Anchor  Ashley Paredez to recognize these unsung heroes.


“ I have the honor of sharing the story behind the Heroes in Arms program and what it truly takes to save a life. We often report crash after crash, tragedy after tragedy — but we don’t always get to tell the ending where everything comes together.

Since 2018, Heroes in Arms — the first program of its kind in the nation — has delivered lifesaving whole blood to trauma patients before they ever reach the hospital, surpassing 40,000 donations and counting.


One of those lives is Doug Winckler’s.

After a severe motorcycle crash in the Hill Country, Doug survived because of a chain of heroes:


  • Juan Martinez, a civilian bystander with military medical training who acted immediately
  • Bergheim Volunteer Fire Department: Fire Chief Adam Hawkins, Captain Ron Hudson, and Engineer Daniel White. 
  • Kendall County EMS: Field Training Officer Greg Smith, Paramedic Alec Denton, and EMS Director Brian Web
  • Angela Ramon, a blood donor whose donation helped save Doug’s life
  • Hospital teams who carried his care through recovery
  • And incredibly, Doug’s own son —Dr. Winckler a physician who helped bring the pre hospital whole blood program to South Texas.


This is why Heroes in Arms exists. It’s proof that when bystanders, firefighters, EMS, donors, and medical teams work together, lives are saved — right here in our community.


Heroism doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes, it starts with stopping to help — or rolling up your sleeve.”


Want to learn more - watch Foamfrats pre hospital blood medical documentary

https://youtu.be/yUlo8tMkEI0?si=Wa40AErmNtDBdWZh