CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Divisions of Boating and Waterways, Historic Preservation and Off-Highway Vehicles

News Release For Immediate Release May 23, 2017

Contact: Dennis Weber [email protected] (916) 651-8724

State of California Honors State Parks Lifeguard with Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award Award is the highest honor state bestows on its public servants SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The State of California today honored California State Lifeguard Christopher Connolly of Ventura with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Award for his act of heroism, during a ceremony at the California Highway Patrol Academy in West Sacramento. The Medal of Valor is the highest honor the state can give its employees. Medals were presented to 22 recipients, from seven state departments, on behalf of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. by Keely Bosler, the Governor’s Cabinet Secretary. Other state officials participating in the ceremony included Richard Gillihan, Director, California Department of Human Resources; Joseph A. Farrow, Commissioner, California Highway Patrol; John Laird, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency; Brian P. Kelly; Secretary, California State Transportation Agency. The award comes in two distinctions, the Special Service Award (Silver) for an act of heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to save human life or state property, and the Special Act Award (Gold) for an extraordinary act of heroism by a state employee extending far above and beyond the normal call of duty or service, performed at great risk to his or her own life in an effort to save human life. California State Lifeguard II Christopher Connolly (Lifeguard Connolly) was honored with a silver medal for a rescue performed in treacherous surf on December 2015 that saved the life of a surfer caught in pounding waves. During the biggest El Niño surf event in years with 15-20 foot waves along a rocky shoreline, Lifeguard Connolly rescued a tiring surfer under the difficult conditions and at great peril to himself. Responding to a call at Faria Beach north of the City of Ventura on December 11, Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks DPR 985 (Rev. 2/2016)(Word 2/23/2016)

www.parks.ca.gov

@CAStateParks

1

2015, Lifeguard Connolly entered the water without hesitation. He swam to the victim, secured him to a life buoy, then fought wave sets while seeking a safe spot to exit the surf. Connolly traveled more than 3/4 of a mile in a swift current while attempts by first responders to reach the pair from shore failed. Connolly held the victim close for protection and talked the surfer through the ordeal. Eventually, Lifeguard Connolly was able to reach a sandy beach with his rescuee who was exhausted, but unhurt. Without the actions of Connolly, the surfer likely would have been lost to the pounding surf. Veteran State Parks lifeguards called Connolly’s efforts one of the most demanding and dynamic rescues ever witnessed. Connolly, 44, is a seasonal lifeguard with California State Parks and has worked as a lifeguard for 16 years. He is a Spanish instructor at Ventura Community College and a volunteer with the Fillmore Fire Department. He has a daughter Piper. ### Subscribe to California State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected] or via RSS feed. California State Parks Provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov.

Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks DPR 985 (Rev. 2/2016)(Word 2/23/2016)

www.parks.ca.gov

@CAStateParks

2

News Release - California State Parks - State of California

May 23, 2017 - heroism by a state employee extending above and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at personal risk to his or her safety to ...

377KB Sizes 0 Downloads 295 Views

Recommend Documents

News Release - California State Parks
Dec 21, 2015 - California State Parks Begins New Year With First Day Hikes ... For a complete list and detailed information on the California State Parks First ...

NEWS RELEASE - California State Parks
Oct 1, 2013 - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. News Release ... For more information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/mttamalpais.

News Release - California State Parks
Feb 29, 2016 - www.parks.ca.gov ... CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. Divisions ... For more information, please call Janea Elliot at.

News Release - California State Parks
Jun 5, 2017 - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION. Divisions of ... For more information about the California State Railroad Museum ...

News Release - California State Parks
Mar 17, 2016 - Contact: Superintendent Aaron Wright. [email protected] ... The Forebay Aquatic Center will be re-opening in May for additional ... To confirm public accessibility of Lake Oroville recreational opportunities, call the ...

News Release - California State Parks
Feb 29, 2016 - at Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds. PACIFIC ... (831) 646-6443 – please leave call back number for confirmation. A book ...

News Release - California State Parks
Oct 22, 2015 - comfort of their home computer and mobile devices. “We are excited to ... 360-degrees,” said California State Park's Director Lisa Mangat.

NEWS RELEASE - California State Parks
Mar 11, 2014 - monitoring and research. State Parks will also monitor the scarce birds and the management of corvid impacts, which will allow park managers ...

News Release - California State Parks
Aug 1, 2013 - California State Parks, in cooperation with the Sonoma/Petaluma State Historic Parks. Association, will present a brand new Junior Ranger ...

News Release - California State Parks
May 26, 2016 - law, public resource code §5099.12, the program is administered by the ... State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected] or via RSS feed.

News Release - California State Parks
Oct 1, 2015 - association to help fund the interpretive programs at the park. ... to California State Parks News via e-mail at [email protected] or via RSS feed.

News Release - California State Parks
Oct 28, 2015 - Page 1. Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks www.parks.ca.gov ... been revised to make the outdoor stairs easier to negotiate. “The public has ...

News Release - California State Parks
Aug 30, 2016 - 28 around picnic areas and creating a single boat access location. ... Visit State Park's website at www.parks.ca.gov/plankbsra. ... Making decisions about how to best provide high-quality recreation, while preserving the park.

News Release - California State Parks
Jan 13, 2017 - Caltran's website. ... in open water and even the best swimmers can misjudge the water and their ... o Do not build campfires on paved areas.

News Release - California State Parks
Mar 16, 2017 - New Reservation System Coming to California State Parks. This Summer ... More campsites available for online reservation. • Interactive ...

News Release - California State Parks
Jan 26, 2016 - history of California, such as the Alameda County Building and Loan .... Notices and agendas for Commission meetings are available online at ...

NEWS RELEASE - California State Parks
Jan 18, 2017 - CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION ... interactive maps of potential elements of the general plan, online and ...

News Release - California State Parks
Sep 17, 2015 - This family-friendly event combines 4x4 off-road recreation and geocaching, the global online scavenger hunt. Participants will receive free day ...

news release - California State Parks
May 22, 2013 - Contact: Craig Sap. (310) 699-1732. [email protected]. Park Officials Ask for Public's Help Protecting Newly Opened Areas.

News Release - California State Parks
Feb 19, 2016 - Page 1 ... New Port Beach, CA 92662 ... Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks ... its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating.

News Release - California State Parks
Feb 17, 2016 - Page 1. Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks ... tables; a new concrete pad, picnic table and a shade ramada to the ... extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating.

News Release - California State Parks
Jul 12, 2017 - Page 1. Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks www.parks.ca.gov ... and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

News Release - California State Parks
Feb 9, 2016 - Page 1. Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks ... closures and detours which are necessary while crews work to make much needed.

NEWS RELEASE - California State Parks
Sep 1, 2016 - Page 1. Facebook.com/CaliforniaStateParks www.parks.ca.gov ... Water conditions are low enough in many places to make for hazardous ...