Firefighters, lifeguards recognized for rescue

The Orange County Health Care Agency honored Laguna Beach firefighters and lifeguards Thursday for rescuing a man who collapsed while working out at Laguna Beach High School.

The agency recognized lifeguards Scott Diederich and Casey Parlette and firefighters Thomas Padden, Scott Hammond, Patrick Cary, Chris Kent, Robert Abijay and Jeff White who rescued the man in December, Nicole Stanfield, the agency’s public information officer, wrote in an email.

Diederich and Parlette were with the man when he collapsed and immediately started CPR until firefighters arrived, according to the Laguna Beach city manager’s report.

Firefighters provided life support and transported the man to Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, where he survived.

Laguna Beach fire and marine safety staff each nominated colleagues for the award, held in conjunction with national Emergency Medical Services Week May 19 to 25, Stanfield said.

—Bryce Alderton