Canton Supervisor Phil LaJoy presented 20 Canton Leisure Services staff with official Board Resolutions that recognized their dedication to duty, outstanding service, life-saving actions and commendable contribution to the Canton Community.
Three groups of responders were honored for performing life-saving measures for incidents that occurred in early 2015:
On January 31, 2015, Lifeguard Collin Hurley observed a patron in the water of the lap pool not moving and in obvious distress. Collin immediately responded by blowing his whistle which activated the emergency action plan, then jumped into the water to begin the rescue. Working cohesively together, the lifeguard team of Sorin Oprican, Jordan Anheuser, Nathan Hall, Collin Hurley, Grant Kurili, Lilly Lepper, Levi Lowder, Alex Petrarca, and Elizabeth Wiessner dialed 911, assessed the victim’s condition, evacuated all pools, provided emergency equipment, and performed two and a half cycles of CPR on the victim who regained consciousness prior to Canton Fire EMS arriving on the scene. Because of this team’s quick actions and ability to apply their lifesaving skills, the life of the Summit guest was saved.
On February 10, 2015, Lifeguard Lindsey Bessinger observed a patron in the water at the Summit Aquatics north river area who appeared to be losing consciousness and in obvious distress. Lindsey immediately responded by blowing her whistle which activated the emergency action plan, then jumped into the water to begin the rescue. Working cohesively together, the lifeguard team of Sorin Oprican, Lindsey Bessinger, Kaylin Huber, John Kukulka, Connor Osborn, and Lisa Ryan simultaneously pulled the victim out of the water and dialed 911. They then assessed the victim’s condition and observed guest was breathing and had a pulse. Additionally, they evacuated all pools and provided emergency equipment per established department protocol until the Canton Fire EMS arrived and took over.
On March 27, 2015, Summit Building Attendant Stephen Robb responded to the Arts II Room for a guest in need of medical attention, and he initiated the emergency action plan. Simultaneously a 911 call was made, lifeguard assistance was requested, and all pool areas were evacuated. Upon lifeguards’ arrival, the victim was slumped over a table with no detectable pulse. Working cohesively together, the lifeguard team of Sorin Oprican, Avalon Dewaele, Rachel Hughesdon, Charles Joyce, Hannah Maxam, David Rowe, and Lisa Ryan performed CPR and applied the Automatic External Defibrillator, which indicated a shock was necessary. The shock was administered and CPR was resumed until the victim began breathing on his own prior to the arrival of the Canton Fire EMS. Because of this team’s quick actions, ability to assess the need for CPR and an AED, and performance of their lifesaving skills, the life of the Summit guest was saved.
“I am proud of these dedicated staff members who uphold our mission of providing a safe environment for all of our guests in all of our facilities” said Debra Bilbrey-Honsowetz, Director of Canton Leisure Services. “These individuals represent the best in public service and I could not have asked for better responses from our staff.”
Canton Leisure Services has been recognized for excellence in the field of parks and recreation management by receiving re-accreditation in 2013 and remains one of only 136 agencies in the country currently holding national accreditation from the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). For more information about Canton Leisure Services, please call 734/394-5360 or visit www.cantonfun.org.