SANTA ANA Calif. – The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region, serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, recently had the great honor of recognizing Orange County Lifeguard Michael Longobardo with the prestigious American Red Cross Lifesaving Award, which recognizes and honors individuals and teams who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross training class.
The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals or group of individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course.
“We are proud to present Supervisor Michael Longobardo with the Red Cross Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders,” said Linda Voss, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region. “His heroic actions exemplify our mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Together, we can inspire others to learn important lifesaving skills by sharing real-life success stories like that of Supervisor Longobardo.”
On July 18, 2018, Orange County Lifeguard Michael Longobardo called on his Red Cross training to save the life of a boy who was pinned to Laguna Beach cliffs by a large boulder, amputating his arm. Supervisor Longobardo was among a group of lifeguards called to respond to this tragic incident. While his fellow lifeguards provided aid, Supervisor Longobardo assisted with communications and medical gear, requesting paramedics, a helicopter, heavy rescue equipment and lifeguard resources to help free the young boy from entrapment. As resources arrived on scene, Supervisor Longobardo and his fellow lifeguards stayed with the patient, ensuring he remained stabilized, calm and reassured as rescue crews worked to safely clear the boulder. The boy was stabilized and transported to the hospital in less than three hours, where doctors were able to reattach his arm.
Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass. If you or someone you know has used skills and knowledge learned in an American Red Cross Training Services course to help save or sustain the life of another individual, visit LifesavingAwards.org to nominate the individual to be recognized. For more information about the American Red Cross serving Orange County, please visit redcross.org/dts.
About the American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. The American Red Cross Desert to the Sea Region has proudly served Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for more than 100 years. For more information, please visit redcross.org/dts or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossDTS or Facebook at facebook.com/RedCrossDTS.
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