Saying thanks for being there

The vision of a man darting from a dinner party to save a man trapped

inside of an overturned car conjures up images of a leading character

in an action film. So do lifeguards, always ready to spring into

action from a perch overlooking the sand.

But these aren’t fictional characters.

They are Newport-Mesa’s firefighters, police officers and

lifeguards, and some received special honors last week.

Costa Mesa Police Officer Derek Trusk was the officer who saved

the man in the overturned car. Police Chief John Hensley honored

Trusk last week and presented him with the department’s Life Saving

Award.

The Commodores Club and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce also

organized a ceremony to honor Dave Bowman, Firefighter of the Year;

Mitch White, Marine Safety Officer of the Year; and Ethan Poli,

lifeguard of the year.

Newport Beach Fire Chief Tim Riley said Bowman was a firefighter

who provided constant support to staff and their families throughout

the year.

These are acts of commitment and sacrifice that can’t be ignored.

They remind us that emergency-services personnel put a lot on the

line when they show up for work each day -- something all of them

deserve our thanks for.