Inver Grove Heights honors community center staff after pool rescue

The Inver Grove Heights City Council opened the first meeting of the year by recognizing staff and community members for a life‑saving rescue at the Veterans Memorial Community Center on Monday, Oct. 6. Mayor and staff presented awards to the VMCC staff and volunteers who executed a rapid rescue and on‑deck emergency care that left the guest responsive before EMS arrival.

Jamie (as introduced by Mayor Dietrich), identified in the record as the community center manager, introduced the group and thanked staff for their training and professionalism. Denzel Flowers, the aquatics program supervisor, described the circumstances: during a quiet lap swim an individual required assistance, and an aquatics employee (identified in the record as Emma Zellmer/Zalmer) entered the 13‑foot dive well, recovered the guest and assisted with on‑deck CPR while other staff called 911 and retrieved the AED. “This rescue and response began exactly as it should be, with recognition and communication,” Flowers said, praising the chain of events and training.

Council members and attendees applauded as each staff member involved was brought forward to receive an award. Staff emphasized the role of training, readiness and teamwork in achieving the successful outcome; the record states EMS arrived within about five minutes and the guest made a full recovery.

The council framed the recognition as an example of the city’s investment in staff training and the value of preparedness. No formal action beyond the recognition ceremony was recorded.

The city’s public safety and parks staff will keep the council updated on any follow‑up training or equipment changes prompted by the incident.