When a woman chasing her dog out onto a frozen pond in Redstone Park fell through the ice into the frigid water on Jan. 10, two Highlands Ranch Metro District park staff leapt into action.
Tim Doan and Steve Albert, who were working in Redstone Park the day, called first responders and then grabbed a hose that they were able to throw to the woman in the pond and pull her to shore.
Both the woman and her dog were unharmed.
Doan and Albert were honored by the Highlands Ranch Metro District and South Metro Fire and Rescue on Jan. 31 for their response efforts.
South Metro Fire Cpt. Jake Mayhew praised Doan and Albert, calling them a combination of “something I’d expect from a professional responder and something from a MacGuyver script.”
Officials from South Metro and Highlands Ranch agreed that Doan and Albert prevented a potential tragedy.
“It is without a doubt that their quick actions prevented catastrophe that day,” said Tammy Tucker, the director of parks, recreation and open space for Highlands Ranch Metro District.
Metro District General Manager Stephanie Stanley said she is proud to honor Doan and Albert .
"Thank you for everything you do for our community, but especially the actions of that day," Stanley said.
South Metro Fire Rescue Risk Reduction Specialist Selena Silva said people should assume that ice on ponds or lakes will not support the weight of a person. Ice may not be the same thickness all the way across the pond and even thick ice can be weak from warm temperatures or snow, Silva said.
People who have fallen into icy water can develop hypothermia within a few minutes, she said.
Silva encouraged bystanders who see someone fall into icy water to call 911, tell the person to stay calm and make a visual note of where the person fell in.
