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Sparks honors lifeguard team after on‑duty resuscitation at Al Sorensen Pool
Summary
City recognized lifeguards for performing CPR and using an AED to revive a guest who went into cardiac arrest at Al Sorensen Pool on Jan. 18; fire and mental‑health professionals praised the team and the city provided counseling and debriefing support.
The Sparks City Council publicly recognized a team of lifeguards after staff at Al Sorensen Pool performed continuous CPR and used an automated external defibrillator to restore a pulse for a patron who suffered cardiac arrest on Jan. 18.
Aquatic supervisor Sean Olsen and pool staff began lifesaving measures, maintained continuous compressions while rotating rescuers, and established a pulse before paramedics transported the patient, the council was told. Acting Captain Ben Brown of the Sparks Fire Department, who led basic and advanced life‑support education for the department, called the on‑scene performance “high performing” and credited the outcome to prompt recognition, high‑quality CPR and AED use.
“None of the fancy paramedic things that we do will make any difference at all if those things aren’t done prior to our arrival,” Brown said, praising the lifeguards’ work and training.
City mental‑health counselors Ryan Simpson and Steve Nicholas conducted a critical incident debriefing and counseling for staff; Simpson said the debrief helped team members process the event and acknowledged the long‑term value of such support. Nicholas, who has worked with first responders, told the council he found the lifeguard team’s response “as good of a servant team as I’ve experienced in my career.”
Mayor Lawson and Parks and Recreation Director Nancy O’Connor led the council’s recognition; the council named the lifeguards and invited them forward for photographs: Clay Baldwin, Grayson Hoffler, Christina Lykes, Parker Moss, Rosanna Baldwin, Jennifer Asher and Rebecca Costenge.
Why it matters: the council highlighted that routine training and immediate mental‑health support contributed to a positive medical outcome and helped protect both the patient and staff members.
