ORANGE COUNTY, California | PRNewswire
Coastline College of Orange County, CA President Vince Rodriguez Ed.D. honored three of Coastline’s public safety officers on Monday awarding them with the Coastline Presidential Coin for their heroic life-saving efforts on December 6, 2022, in Newport Beach, CA.
On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at approximately 5:47 p.m., Campus Safety Officer Larry Pita was working his scheduled shift at Coastline’s Newport Beach Campus. He was contacted by an unknown person saying was a “problem” across the “street”, and someone may be “dying” on the sidewalk. Pita immediately went to the location. Upon arrival, Pita observed an unconscious male on the sidewalk (not a Coastline student). The person laying unconscious on the pavement had vomited and was unresponsive.
In addition to First Aid training which all Coastline Public Safety officers have, Pita is also a certified First Aid instructor with advanced training. Based on his experience, Pita ascertained Hill was showing signs of an opioid overdose. Pita then returned to the Public Safety office and retrieved the emergency response medical bag. Upon returning to the scene, Pita immediately administered department issued Naloxone (Narcan) and applied a physical stimulus (sternum rub) attempting to help the person regain consciousness. While Pita was administering aid to the victim, he was in constant communication with Coastline Campus Safety Officers Ralph Flores and Henry Nguyen who coordinated with first responders and provided critical information to the emergency medical response units from the Newport Beach Police and Fire Departments.
At approximately 5:57 p.m., the victim regained his color and his breathing normalized but was drifting in and out of consciousness. Newport Beach Fire Department arrived on scene and transported the victim to Hoag hospital for further treatment. It was later confirmed by the first responders that if officer Pita had not acted as quickly as he did, the victim would have died.
"I am honored to give an award to our Campus Safety Officers for going above and beyond for our community in this position of trust and responsibility. It is important for all members of our communities," Rodriguez said. "Coastline College embraces its mission for serving students as well as the community."
About Coastline College:
Coastline College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. For eight consecutive years, Coastline College was selected as one of the top 150 colleges by The Aspen Institute for Community College Excellence which is considered the most prestigious designation for community colleges. Coastline delivers flexible courses and services that cultivate and guide diverse student populations across the globe to complete pathways leading to the attainment of associate degrees, certificates, career readiness, and transfer to four-year colleges/universities.
CONTACT:
Dawn Willson
dwillson1@coastline.edu
714-241-6186
SOURCE Coastline College
Related Links
www.coastline.edu