The Santa Monica Fire Department gave awards and recognition at Tuesday’s city council meeting, presenting its highest honor for the first time in nearly five decades and recognizing three separate acts of heroism that saved lives and demonstrated extraordinary courage under pressure.
Engineer Bill Howard received the Medal of Valor — the department's most prestigious award — for risking his life during a dangerous ocean rescue on April 12. The award, last given in the 1970s, recognizes "an act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty."
"This award is not given lightly and it's not earned easily," Battalion Chief Matthew Hill told the City Council. "It represents a moment where the fear is real, the danger is extreme, and yet someone chooses to act anyway because someone's life depends on it."
Hill said that Howard, a paramedic hired in 2009 and promoted to engineer in 2017, entered treacherous waters with waves towering overhead and powerful rip currents to assist a struggling Los Angeles County lifeguard and an exhausted swimmer. He said that equipped with his rescue buoy and flippers, Howard battled through massive waves to reach the lifeguard, supplied him with the buoy, and together they brought the swimmer safely to shore.
"His intervention undoubtedly saved at least one life that day," Hill said.
SMFD said that the rescue has prompted the fire department to begin developing its first-ever rescue swimmer program.
Howard expressed humility upon receiving the award, saying he was "quite overwhelmed" and believed "it could have been any one of our members" because the department is "very capable, very good."
The awards ceremony highlighted the department's commitment to recognizing both sworn personnel and community members who demonstrate exceptional service
The ceremony recognized several civilian heroes, including 8-year-old Alana Cohan, who received a Certificate of Appreciation for her actions during a medical emergency on April 29. The young girl called 911 and provided critical information to dispatchers, including the address, nature of the emergency, medical history and medications needed.
"At just 8 years old, you called 911 and provided life-saving information to dispatchers," Hill read from Cohan's citation. On scene, she "further supported responders by helping contact your mother, assisting with notifications, and ensuring the safety of pets."
Hill praised Cohan's "maturity and calm actions," saying they "made a significant difference and were deeply appreciated by all involved."
Dr. Joanne Elmore and Peter Kim were also recognized for their life-saving response to a sudden cardiac arrest at John Adams Middle School on May 11. Dr. Elmore immediately began CPR while Kim brought an automated external defibrillator to the scene and delivered one shock. The patient regained consciousness before fire department personnel arrived.
"By the time the fire department arrived, the patient had regained consciousness, which is something that medically speaking is nothing short of incredible," Hill said.
He described the incident as a true team effort involving “bystanders jumping into action, an on-site physician lending medical expertise, police officers and dispatchers coordinating, and responders doing what they do best, which is saving lives."
Hill said it was important to recognize the professional and amateur heroes in the community for their lifesaving efforts.
"Tonight we have the privilege of recognizing some truly special individuals in our community, people who have gone above and beyond in moments that have mattered the most," Hill said.
Mayor Negrete, speaking on behalf of the City Council, expressed pride in having "all of the heroes in this room, both sworn and civilian."
"This particular award is a true honor, and it's really an honor for us to witness you receiving it in front of your family," Negrete told Howard. "Thank you for making sure that we were part of this process and allowing the community to see the heroes that we have amongst us."
Hill oversees the awards program as part of his duties with the C platoon.