Elmer Delgado, a Chicago Park District lifeguard captain, was honored with the Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders at the Annual Board meeting of the Chicago & Northern Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross. Elmer’s family and his management team proudly watched as he was awarded the Lifesaving Award pin and certificate by Board President, Jill Schaaf.
On June 11, 2017, Beach Captain Delgado used his Red Cross Lifeguarding training to help save the lives of two men who were shot at Margaret T. Burroughs Beach in Chicago. After gun shots were fired on the beach, Elmer called 9-1-1. He made sure the scene was safe, ran to the victims who were shot and laying on the ground. Elmer ran in – when others were running away. He administered first aid care until EMS arrived. Elmer showed impressive bravery and level-headedness in a time of chaos.
The Lifesaving Award is one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross for an individual who saves or sustains a life by using skills or knowledge obtained in an American Red Cross Preparedness, Health and Safety course. This action exemplifies the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress. This certificate bears the signatures of the President and CEO of the American Red Cross, Gail McGovern and the Chairman of the Board, Bonnie McElveen Hunter. Congratulations, Elmer, for a job very well done!
Source: American Red Cross