Acton Lifeguard Honored by Gov. Patrick

By Mark Ouellette

Acton lifeguard Liam Mackin was one of more than two dozen area lifeguards honored Tuesday by Gov. Deval Patrick for service during emergency situations at Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) swimming facilities this past summer.

“These lifeguards’ outstanding efforts to keep our people safe deserve special recognition,” said Patrick in a press release.

A total of 33 lifeguards were honored on Tuesday. They are:

Domenique Riviera, Lowell

Ben Vaccaro, Reading

Elena Drews, Wayland

Joseph Ford, Woburn

Noelia Aquino, Lowell

Kayla Quinn, Newton

Domenic Russo, Chelmsford

Liam Mackin, Acton

Maria Russo, Chelmsford

Penelope Jungreis, Newton

Eleanor Moore, Wayland

Sarah Vigneau, Millbury

Hannah Owen, Sutton

Michael Griffin, Sutton

Quintessa Smythe, Sutton

Drew Osik, Shrewsbury

Alicia Lazenby, Webster

Guy Vigneau, Millbury

Thomas Drews, Wayland

Elena Drews, Wayland

Keandra Cruz, Lowell

Daniel Hansen, Lunenburg 

Savannah Champagne, Lunenburg

Brian Nelson, Saugus

Daveth Cheth, Lynn

Tayla Damon, Malden

Jessica Santiago, Revere

Warren Sharpp, Boston

Yuulvens St. Cyr, City  

Cristian Mojica, Boston

Marcus Mattier, Boston

Talal Jabber, Roslindale

Corey Schiller, Roslindale

During the 2013 summer recreation season, DCR lifeguards performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and lifesaving resuscitation on seven individuals at five swimming locations, reads the statement. DCR lifeguards also saved a potential drowning victim with a spinal/neck injury on Spectacle Island, adds the statement. 

“As a former lifeguard, I understand the challenges these lifeguards face every day,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan in the statement. “Whether it’s your first day on the job or the last day of summer, you never know when your training will be called into action to help save someone’s life. The work that DCR’s Aquatics Division provides to train these lifeguards has been critically important to the success this year and I applaud their efforts.”

DCR’s Aquatics Division oversees the recruitment, hiring and training of DCR’s lifeguards, reads the statement. In 2013, DCR hired 677 lifeguards who collectively staffed 32 swimming pools, 15 ocean beaches and 25 inland beaches across the Commonwealth, adds the statement.

“I congratulate all of our Aquatics Staff for their great work during the 2013 season,” said DCR Commissioner Jack Murray in the statement. “Our successful 2013 season was a collaborative effort and I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication of DCR’s Aquatics team.”