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Fla. paramedic honored for off-duty drowning rescue

Sunstar Paramedics Safety and Risk Coordinator Joshua Hoover was awarded the Commissioner Moroni Award of Excellence in EMS for his quick actions

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Joshua Hoover was honored for his actions after performing life-saving skills on a young girl who had been pulled from the water at a water park.

Photo/Courtesy of Sunstar Paramedics

By EMS1 Staff

LARGO, Fla. — A paramedic was honored for his heroic actions after rescuing a drowning victim while off-duty.

Joshua Hoover, a nine-year veteran of Sunstar Paramedics, was honored with the Commissioner Moroni Award of Excellence in EMS after performing life-saving skills on a young girl who had been pulled from the water at a water park.

According to a press release, Hoover was celebrating a family member’s birthday at the waterpark when he noticed a lifeguard pull the girl out of the water. Hoover immediately ran to assist by performing mouth-to-mouth and using valve bag mask.

After paramedics arrived and provided oxygen, Hoover continued to assist as they transported her to the hospital.

“Joshua responded to an emergency during his personal time, which helped to save this young girl’s life,” John Peterson, Sunstar Paramedics chief operating officer, said. “His dedication to patient care and commitment to helping people remains strong, even when he’s off duty.”

Hoover has also been awarded the EMS Injury Prevention Award by the Florida Department of Health and Paramedic of the Year Award by the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners.

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