Quick action and coordination between Hoover Dam security officers, park rangers and the Boulder City Fire Department in April saved a visitor’s life. Those officers were recognized recently for their life-saving response at an award ceremony held at the Hoover Dam Spillway House.
Security officers were called to the Hoover Dam bypass bridge parking lot where a man was suffering cardiac arrest. When Bureau of Reclamation Security Response Force (SRF) officers Ryan Nielsen, William Klass, and Storm Hanks arrived, the 54-year-old man was unresponsive.
Officers quickly administered CPR and were soon joined by National Park Service rangers Meagen Martin and Alberto Flores who used the automated external defibrillator, or AED. The Boulder City Fire Department was called to transport the man by ambulance to the hospital. The life-saving measures taken by all responders were instrumental in saving the visitor’s life.
Park rangers from the National Park Service, which manages the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, provide Hoover Dam with federal law enforcement services. Reclamation’s SRF provides physical security of the facility. All officers are trained first responders and partner with the Boulder City Fire Department to provide emergency services.
Boulder City’s Deputy Fire Chief Greg Chesser presented awards to officers Nielsen, Klass and Hanks, and park rangers Martin and Flores, thanking them for their fast response and crediting them with saving the man’s life.
“This is a demonstration of why partnering with emergency services is so important here at Hoover Dam,” said Dave Arend, Reclamation Lower Colorado Basin Region Deputy Director. “Reclamation is committed to protecting the safety of everyone visiting the dam. I appreciate the combined efforts and services of NPS, Boulder City Fire Department, and SRF during this incident and first-rate service to the safety of those that visit our facilities.”
“With millions of tourists visiting Hoover Dam and Lake Mead every year, we have the responsibility to provide the best emergency services possible to ensure everyone’s safety in case of an emergency,” said Chesser.
“This award is not only a great testament to their professionalism and commitment to public service.” said Justin Pattison, Lake Mead National Recreation Area Deputy Superintendent “It is also a great reflection of the positive interagency relationship we maintain across the board with the Bureau of Reclamation and Boulder City.”
The Security Response Force, National Park Services, Boulder City Fire Department, and others such as Las Vegas Metro often join forces to protect the iconic critical infrastructure and the millions of people that visit annually.
