Florida's Collier County Emergency Medical Services honored first responders Tuesday during the Phoenix Awards ceremony at the local library, recognizing extraordinary lifesaving efforts across the county.

Among those honored were the EMS crews who helped save the life of 4-year-old Victor Valdez Jr., who survived a near-drowning in his family’s pool in February. Advertisement

Victor’s mother, Lilmary Delgado, said her son was clinically dead for 30 minutes.

Ten months later, she thanked the very responders who brought him back.

“Thank you guys, for everything you did for my son,” Delgado said.

Delgado described the moment she realized how close she came to losing her child.

“I think that's the worst experience a parent can go through, seeing your son lifeless on the floor, and you

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