Everett's own local heroes received a well-deserved honor this past Wednesday as Fire Chief Dave DeMarco presented five individuals with the Citizen Life-Saving Award. The Everett City Council meeting was the backdrop for the recognition of their crucial actions during a near-drowning incident at Silver Lake. According to a report released by the City of Everett, these community members intervened in a life-threatening situation before the fire or EMS crews could arrive.
Last July 8, Gauge Bryant, only 13 at the time, didn't think twice before diving into the lake's depths to search for an 11-year-old boy who had vanished underwater. With determination that belied his youth, Bryant, after borrowing a pair of goggles, managed to locate and extract the boy from under the dock. As a group of friends, including emergency room nurses Pam, Jennifer, and Jacqueline, were enjoying their day, heard the commotion and rushed over to help, soon began CPR on the dock with help from others, as reported by the City of Everett.
The Everett Fire Department, arriving minutes later, found the child breathing, a pulse returned thanks to the prompt intervention. Fire Chief DeMarco highlighted that, remarkably, "after spending several days in the hospital, we are happy to report that the child has made a full recovery," as stated by the City of Everett. Their quick response serves as a powerful reminder of the impact regular citizens can have during emergency situations.
The presentation at the council meeting aimed not only to honor these rescuers but also to emphasize the importance of water safety and basic life-saving skills. Gauge Bryant, given special mention for his heroics, had his identity released with his parents' consent. He was certified in CPR and First Aid training by Everett Fire, showing his commitment to life-saving skills, and expressed his aspirations to join the Air Force. While none of the involved rescuers sought accolades, Gauge's actions particularly, his humility shone bright, evidenced by his concern for the still-recovering child, wishing merely to be his friend, as per statements he made in media interviews the day following the incident, as detailed by the City of Everett.
As a testament to the Everett Fire Department's appreciation, each rescuer received not just an award but also the Everett Fire Marine Team patch and challenge coin. "Today, we honor their bravery," Chief DeMarco said, a sentiment that resonates with the ethos of community strength and preparedness, as per the City of Everett. These citizens, finding themselves in the right place at the right time, transformed a day at the lake into a story of survival and community vigilance.
