Last evening at the Northglenn City Council Meeting, North Metro Fire Rescue District acknowledged two citizens for their heroic actions that resulted in saving a fellow citizen's life. Steven Hanson, Aquatics Coordinator for the City of Northglenn and John Scott, resident of Northglenn and Battalion Chief for Aurora Fire Department received the North Metro "Life-Saving Award."

On Friday, February 22, 2008, Steve Hanson and John Scott were attending a basketball double header at Legacy High School in Broomfield. The gymnasium was packed with spectators and extremely loud as the first game ended. Some of the crowd was starting to exit the area while another group began pouring in for the anticipated start of the second game.

During this time, Steve Hanson was sitting in the bleachers. He was visiting with family and friends when he was alerted that a woman just a short distance away had collapsed. Mr. Hanson's girlfriend called 9-1-1 as Mr. Hanson approached a lady that was propping the unconscious person up-he identified himself and asked permission to help. Relying on his CPR and first aid skills, he quickly noticed that the woman's color was abnormal and she wasn't breathing. He also determined that she did not have a pulse. Mr. Hanson attempted to lay the woman down in the stands to begin CPR, but realized there was not sufficient room. He called to off-duty, Battalion Chief Scott for assistance.

Mr. Scott and Mr. Hanson took control of the situation and calmed a growing crowd of concerned by-standers. They successfully lifted the woman and carried her down the bleachers in order to begin CPR. As their feet hit the floor, the North Metro paramedics (already on-site in the theater area for another minor injury) were navigating across the court through basketball players. By the time she was laid down on the floor, immediate treatment by Paramedics had begun.

Mr. Hanson and Battalion Chief Scott took quick action in controlling the crowd. Due to their calm approach, they helped bring this incident to its most successful end-the citizen survived and came to the awards ceremony to thank them personally. "The teamwork these men displayed along with their swift actions directly contributed to saving the life of Melissa Malcolm-Peck," stated Wendy Forbes, Public Information Officer. "It is not often that North Metro Fire Rescue presents this award. The last time we honored a citizen was in December 2004."

North Metro Fire Rescue is dedicated to your quality care. North Metro Fire Rescue provides fire protection, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response and rescue services to their community. Formed in 1946, the district now covers 115 square miles with a population of approximately 115,000 people including the City and County of Broomfield, the City of Northglenn, and unincorporated areas of Boulder, Adams, Weld, and Jefferson Counties.

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