Maryland Park Service beach patrol honored for heroism at Greenbrier State Park

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — The park service for the State of Maryland took time on Thursday to present awards for valor to lifeguards at Greenbrier State Park.

The lifeguards were saluted for a heroic rescue earlier this summer.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources saluted five lifeguards who saved a young boy from drowning on June 27.

Recipients of the awards had high praise for their colleagues keeping cool under pressure and relying on their training for such situations.

“What they did shows a high level of responsibility and hands-on ability to performing lifesaving measures,” Bethany Starnes with the beach patrol said.

“It takes a lot of training,” Jeremy Hulse, park manager for the South Mountain Recreation Area, said. “It takes determination, critical thinking skills and the ability to act and react in the moment.”

Officials with the state Department of Natural Resources said they value the work of the 700 personnel who patrol Maryland’s 75 parks throughout the year.