The University Park City Council recognized police officers and pool personnel on Aug. 18 for their quick thinking and compassionate actions during situations when community members were at risk.
Police officers Zakary Ravella and Greg Young received the Life Saving Award for their determination to save a man’s life during a medical emergency last May.
Young was the first to arrive at a home where he found an unconscious and unresponsive man. He immediately began chest compressions, then continued uninterrupted compressions while fire and medical personnel prepared their equipment.
Officer Ravella soon arrived and provided relief by taking over compressions. While Ravella continued compressions, medics used an automated external defibrillator multiple times to try to restart a normal heartbeat. The man eventually gasped for air, and medical personnel detected a pulse.
“Due to the immediate and decisive actions of Officers Young and Ravella, the individual’s life was prolonged to the extent that family members were afforded valuable time to be with their loved one,” Police Chief Bill Mathes told the council. “Their courage, quick decision-making, teamwork, and unwavering commitment to preserving human life reflect the highest standards of law enforcement professionalism and bring great credit upon themselves and the department.”
Holmes Aquatic Center managers Mark Hancock and Simon Pierce, and lifeguards Charlie O’Neal, Zach Zelley, and Loraina Watters were commended for rendering aid after a vehicle collision near the pool.
When they heard a loud crash, the lifeguards and managers on duty responded to see if they could be of help. They then provided medical aid to the driver and passenger, who had substantial injuries, until paramedics arrived to take over, Fire Chief Randy Howell told the council.
“I am grateful for the assistance provided prior to our arrival,” Howell read from a statement of Responding Battalion Chief Terry Fowler. “And I am requesting that the pool personnel providing first aid be commended for their quick actions, bravery, and leadership.”
Howell continued that, “Their appropriate intervention and early activation of available resources resulted in an overall favorable outcome for the individuals involved.”
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