America Salmeron Recovery Efforts

America Salmeron is a born and raised 17-year-old resident of Pasadena. She embodies everything a strong firefighter should be: kind, caring, empathetic, driven to succeed, and a willingness to never quit. She always works through adversity and sees every challenge as an opportunity to better herself. America recently graduated from Pasadena High School and was in line to attend Pasadena City College. She was going to start working on her A.S. degree in Fire Science and was preparing for an EMT class as well. Concurrently, while going to college, she was in the process of interviewing to become a sponsored cadet at the Verdugo Fire Academy. America has been a standout Explorer with the Pasadena Fire Department for over 18 months. America never missed a meeting and was always there to extend a helping hand not only to her fellow Explorers, but to the department itself. Her goal has always been to become a Firefighter and she was on track to becoming one.

We announce with great sadness that this past weekend, America was involved in a serious dune buggy accident. She has severe burns to over 51% of her entire body including third degree burns to her upper extremities. She is currently at a trauma center in Las Vegas undergoing multiple surgeries. America, mother Marta Sara Lara Ruiz has been by her side every second of this difficult journey. America has an extremely difficult and long road to recovery ahead of her but her character and mental fortitude will guide her through this. Marta (Americas Mom) is reaching out in behalf of her daughter she adores for your help. Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated and will go a long way to aid in her recovery.