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OCFA presentation, survivor family urge water-safety measures after Garden Grove pool rescue
Summary
Orange County Fire Authority Chief Covey and family of a rescued boy urged active supervision, barriers and classes to prevent drownings. The council recognized two bystanders who performed CPR and helped save the child.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Covey told the Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday that drownings remain a leading preventable cause of death and urged residents to use "ABCs"—active adult supervision, barriers and classes—to reduce risk.
The presentation included a first-person rescue story from the family of a 7-year-old boy, Ezekiel, who was pulled from a pool on May 10 in full cardiac arrest and was revived after bystanders and emergency responders performed CPR. The family and rescuers were at the meeting; the council recognized the rescuers for their actions.
Why it matters: Chief Covey said data show backyard pools and community spas account for most incidents and that nonfatal drowning far outnumbers fatalities, often with lasting injury. He warned the window for irreversible brain injury can be as short as five to 10 minutes.
Chief Covey, speaking to the council and audience, summarized the prevention message as "A is for active adult, B is for barriers, and C is for classes." He explained a practical tool the department promotes called the "water watcher" tag: one adult is designated and undistracted at a time to supervise swimmers.
Zoe Granados, the child's mother, told the council about the incident: "On May 10, we experienced every parent's worst nightmare followed by a true miracle where we nearly lost our only son, Ezekiel. God gave us a second chance with him, and now we want to share our story in hopes that our mistakes are not repeated and no other family goes through a similar traumatic event." She urged parents to enroll children in swimming lessons and to designate an adult at pool gatherings.
Chris Montenegro, a former lifeguard who helped perform resuscitation, and Crystal Dela Torre, a medical assistant who also rendered aid, described how training enabled them to act quickly. Council members thanked the family and rescuers and urged residents to obtain CPR training and register for city swim classes through Parks and Recreation.
City staff and council used the presentation to remind residents that the parks-and-recs department offers swim lessons and that partners, including the nonprofit Friends of Andy and Aiden, provide adapted training for neurodivergent children. Mayor Klaffenstein and council members recognized the rescuers with certificates and thanked OCFA for the presentation.
Ending: Officials reiterated simple prevention steps—designate an active adult watcher, ensure barriers such as pool fencing, and enroll children in swim and CPR classes—to reduce the risk of drowning this summer.
