Los Angeles County Lifeguards honored for Venice Pier, Catalina Island rescues

Lifeguards Max Malamed and Ryan Aronson recall surfing at the Venice Pier growing up. The two received the Medal of Valor Award for a rescue they made under the Venice Pier last year, on July 4. Photo by Kevin Cody

by Adam Sandler

 Four local Los Angeles County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguards and the Avalon City Fire Dept. were among those honored at the 2024 International Surf Festival “Lifeguard Medal of Valor” dinner. The ceremony was held Wednesday, July 31 at the King Harbor Yacht Club.

 The Medal of Valor Award was presented to Ocean Lifeguard Specialist (OLS) Max Malamed and Ocean Lifeguard (OL) Ryan Aronson for their night jump off the Venice Pier to rescue a swimmer in large surf on a busy July 4, 2023, Independence Day holiday. 

 Malamed and Aronson received a call that an individual had jumped off the pier into the ocean, which was experiencing a building south swell. They found a crowd on the pier pointing to a fully clothed woman in the water, clinging to a nylon rope attached to a pier piling. 

 “After jumping off the pier, I swam to the victim and noticed that she was clinging onto the rope very tightly, which she refused to let go of,” Aronson recalled. “And she was not responsive verbally to me. I had no idea of her psychological state.” 

Added Malamed, “We convinced her to let go of the rope and grab onto the rescue can. We then took a two to three wave set on our heads inside the pilings with her.” 

“This would have been a bread-and-butter rescue for us,” said Malamed. “But the crowd and the fireworks show combined to make the scene extremely chaotic.”  

 The trio made it safely to shore.

The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Paramedic Rescue Boat Captain Brian Kari and Paramedic OLS Sean Kennedy, along with the Avalon City Fire Department. On December 18, 2023, on Catalina Island, the crew responded to a medical call of a young female giving birth. Upon arrival, they found the baby was dark blue and still attached to the umbilical cord.  After assertive treatment by Kari, Kennedy, and members of the Avalon City Fire Department, the baby and mother were stabilized enough to transport. With both patients still in critical condition, two ALS helicopters from Air Mercy and L.A. County Fire Dept. were required to safely move to a mainland NICU.

 The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to retired Captain Jim “Jake” Jacobson. Captain Jacobson began his career in 1971 and retired in 2008, after 37.  Known as a “lifeguards’ lifeguard” Captain Jacobson worked on every beach within Los Angeles County, from Malibu to San Pedro and is known as one of the most inspirational lifeguard mentors in the Department.

 The theme of the dinner was a “Celebration of the L.A. County Junior Lifeguard Program.” Every summer, for nearly 100 years, as many as 3,000 boys and girls, ages 9 through 17 from have participated in the programs. Junior Lifeguards learn ocean rescue techniques, first-aid, CPR, and environmental awareness,.

The annual Lifeguard Medal of Valor Awards dinner is presented in partnership with the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce. ER

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