Three emergency responders have been honored by the East Bay Regional Park District for saving the life of a child at a Fremont park.
Officer Pilot Nina Keefer and Tactical Flight Officer Alec Saunders of the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department and Engineer Paramedic Ryan Eisfeld of the Fremont Fire Department were recognized for rescuing Samaira, a 7-year-old girl who had suffered a medical emergency while hiking at Mission Peak Regional Preserve in August.
The emergency responders were given the Lifesaving Award, a departmental honor recognizing personnel for swift lifesaving actions, at the park district’s board of directors meeting Tuesday.
“Officer Pilot Keefer and Tactical Flight Officer Saunders acted decisively when every minute mattered, helping save a young life,” Olivia Sanwong, president of the park district’s board of directors, said in a statement.
On Aug. 9, Samaira suffered a heat-related medical emergency and collapsed unconscious near the 2,517-foot summit of Mission Peak. According to weather data, temperatures in the Fremont area were in the high 80s that day.
“The rescue demanded split-second judgment and absolute teamwork. Their actions embody the courage and professionalism of our officers.”
Chief Roberto Filice, East Bay Regional Park District police
Keefer and Saunders, who were assigned to the park district’s Eagle 8 helicopter, responded directly to the emergency via the helicopter after determining that a ground rescue could take too long given the severity of Samaira’s condition.
After picking up Eisfeld at the park’s Stanford Avenue Staging Area, the team of responders flew directly to the park’s summit, where they got Samaira and flew her to a waiting ambulance, which then transported her to Kaiser Permanente Fremont Medical Center.
After receiving medical care at the hospital, Samaira was able to make a full recovery. The air unit’s rapid response was deemed critical to her survival by medical personnel, park district officials said.
“The rescue demanded split-second judgment and absolute teamwork,” said Park District Police Chief Roberto Filice in a statement. “Their actions embody the courage and professionalism of our officers.”
