Citizen Involvement Award

Thanks: Two men are being recognized for their lifesaving efforts. On January 29 at about 3 p.m. City of Santa Monica Community Recreation employees Jose Barron and Anthony Diaz, were at the Memorial Park gym (1401 Olympic Blvd) when they witnessed an off-duty Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) employee fall to the ground and go into cardiac arrest. Without any hesitation, Jose Barron and Anthony Diaz went to the employee’s aid. Bravely, they worked together, taking direction from the 9-1-1 dispatcher, as they initiated Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Upon the Santa Monica Fire Department’s arrival, the employee was unconscious, however was breathing and had a pulse. He was immediately transported to the Santa Monica Emergency Hospital for further treatment. The employee fully recovered and was able to go home to his family one week later.