Huge CONGRATULATIONS to one of our own Ean Miller Lifeguard II California State Parks, Mendocino Coast for receiving the USLA Medal of Valor (the highest-level award in lifeguarding)! Honored and presented by the State of California Parks. We are so proud of you and your contributions!
Summary of incident
Westport Recue 12/15/18
On 12/15/18 at approximately 1715 hours while on duty near Pudding Creek Beach in Fort Bragg, CA State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller overheard a radio call for 2 kayakers in distress near the town of Westport.
Lifeguard Miller responded to the scene code 3 through the rain and darkness for approximately 15 miles. Arriving on scene Lifeguard Miller. Found one of the victims on shore and suffering from hypothermia. At approximately 1733 hours he entered the water alone in the dark to rescue the second victim finding her face down in the water approximately 75 yards offshore. Using his helmet flashlight, buoy, fins and rescue board Lifeguard Miller successfully brought the victim back to shore.
Once back on shore Lifeguard Miller lead resuscitation efforts performing CPR on the subject. Eventually patient care was taken over by paramedics. The patient was eventually transported to Santa Rose where they made a full recovery.
I believe without Lifeguard Miller and his quick actions without hesitation or fear the disposition of the rescue would have been very different. This rescue combined with the rescue at Big River Beach shows a continuing pattern of selfless behavior for Lifeguard Miller. Faced with difficult life-threatening situations he is able to focus and get the job done. The two recent lives saved are a direct result of his bravery. For these two dangerous rescues I would like nominate Ean Miller for the USLA medal of valor.
Westport Conditions: Swell – 6.6. @ 12 seconds, SE winds 15 knots. The area of the rescue has numerous hazards with a mixture of small sandy coves exposed rocks and surging breaking surf. Lifeguard Miller had to contend with these dangerous conditions in the dark.
Summary of Incident
Big River Rescue 11/29/18
The following is a description of a rescue that took place on the Mendocino coast on Thursday November 29th 2018. During this rescue State Parks Lifeguard Ean Miller performed his duties exceptionally, going above and beyond the normal call of duty to save one victim and recover another. During this recue Ean acted with bravery putting his safety at risk to successfully extricate two victims from a very dangerous situation. Ean was the only State Parks Lifeguard on duty for the incident.
On 11/29/18 at approximately 1630 hours while on duty near Caspar Lifeguard Ean Miller heard radio scanner traffic reporting a water rescue near Big River Beach with multiple victims. Miller drove to scene code 3. Miller was the first responder to locate the reporting party on scene near the Presbyterian Church in the town of Mendocino. After speaking to the reporting party Miller located the first victim in a small cove along the bluffs north of Big River Beach. Miller accessed the water via small trail down the cliff that lead to an approximately 10-foot jump into surging water.
The cove that the victim was located in was very hazardous. At high tide the waves slam up into the cliff edge so there is no beach. In conditions like that day it is also a collection point where debris including huge tree sized logs are deposited by the current. To complete this recuse Miller had to navigate the rocky cliff edge, large waves, extreme currents, and the huge drift wood logs in the surf zone.
In these hectic conditions Miller was able to get the victim, calm him down, buoy him up, and swim him to safer water. While swimming the victim to a more protected beach. Miller and the victim were picked up by an RWC operated by Mendocino Volunteer Fire personnel. Fore personal dropped Miller off at Big River Beach and took the victim in to a waiting ambulance.
Once he was dropped off at Big River Beach Miler ran on foot back to the scene approximately .25 miles to get the second victim. He accessed the water down the cliff the same way as before and located the second victim who was unconscious and floating in a nearby cove that contained the same hazards as previously mentioned. Miller got to the victim and swam the unconscious victim out to a spot where a rescue craft could pic the victim up.
With the victim Miller was transported to the beach by Mendocino Fire personnel on their RWC’s. At Big River Beach boat ramp Miller assisted Paramedics in resuscitation efforts of Victim #2. Victim #2 was pronounced deceased on scene by medics and Victim #1 was transported to the hospital and treated for hypothermia.
It is in my opinion that Lifeguard Miller’s actions during this rescue were heroic and worthy of recognition. Therefore, I would like to nominate him for the USLA Medal of Valor for his bravery in the face of danger. During this brave act Lifeguard Miller successful saved one victim’s life and recovered another. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Big River Conditions: swell – 13.5 @ 8.5 seconds, NW wind 23knots. Strong currents due to large surf, dropping tide and water flowing from the river.
