Water Rescue in Pacifica

On February 9, 2016 at 2:04 a.m., 4 Fire Companies, 1 Rescue Unit, 2 Chief Officers, 1 Information Officer, U.S. Coast Guard with 2 Helicopters and Rescue Ship responded to a water rescue at Beach Blvd. in the City of Pacifica.

The first arriving fire company found an adult female victim that had been pulled into the ocean and was able to make it back to shallow water and onto the beach. A second adult male was not able to get out of the surf and was taken by the surf out and into the ocean not readily visible from the beach.

NCFA Fire Incident Commander began directing and coordinating the rescue operation, utilizing the Coast Guard helicopters. The Coast Guard helicopters were able to locate the adult male victim and a rescue swimmer was lowered into the ocean, where by the victim was extracted from the water and then hoisted up and into the helicopter and flown to the shore to awaiting fire paramedics.

The female victim was immediately examined and treatment provided by firefighter/ paramedics upon the arrival of the first fire company.  The male victim was assessed and treated by firefighter paramedics, as well and both victims were transported by paramedic ambulances to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind and stress the importance to maintain situational awareness at all times and keeping a safe distance from the ocean and surf.