For saving the life of a swimmer at Big Blue Bay in Alliance, two lifeguards were recognized as heroes by the Alliance City Council during their meeting last Tuesday.
Mayor Mike Dafney recounted the events by reading a proclamation, noting the actions of Brock Brass and Drew Varner on the afternoon of June 23.
“On that day, Drew Varner and Brock Brass were working at their lifeguard posts adjacent to the diving board and deep end of the pool when Drew noticed that a swimmer seemed to be in distress; Drew descended from the lifeguard chair and dove into the water to rescue the swimmer,” Dafney said, reading the proclamation. “Brock witnessed drew rescuing the child and immediately went to the pool side to assist, pulling the swimmer from the pool; Brock then completed a preliminary assessment, rolling the victim to his side to allow the water out of his airway—resulting in the child coughing to clear the airway.”
Other staff members called 911 and when Emergency Medical Technicians arrived, they transferred the boy to the hospital.
“These two lifeguards successfully performed their lifesaving responsibilities as a result of many hours of training and vigilance, which resulted in a positive outcome for the swimmer and his family,” said Dafney. “These young men epitomize many of the values to which the City of Alliance and its citizens strive, namely: dedication, responsibility, bravery, sacrifice and service.”
The proclamation declared July 21, 2021 as Drew Varner and Brock Brass Day.
Alliance Police Department Chief Philip Lukens spoke to Brass and Varner at the meeting, honoring their life-saving efforts by giving them an outstanding service award on behalf of the APD. Alliance Volunteer Fire Department Chief Troy Shoemaker recognized their service, noting the fire department could use people like Brass and Varner. Members of the Alliance City Council also congratulated the lifeguards for their efforts to save a child’s life.