Two lifeguards employed by the City of Peterborough have been recognized for their actions in saving a life while off duty.
During a ceremony on Tuesday (January 6), Lifesaving Society Ontario honoured Avery Fam and Tessa Kitchen with Rescue Awards of Merit for their response to a medical emergency outside the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre on October 6, 2025.
Both Fam and Kitchen are lifeguards and swim instructors at the municipally operated facility.
According to a media release from the city, Fam noticed a person lying on the grass near the facility’s parking lot and determined they were not breathing.
Fam ran inside to call 9-1-1 and retrieve a first-aid kit before returning to begin performing CPR on the person.
Kitchen, who was arriving at work at the same time, saw Fam providing assistance and joined her.
After the person began breathing again, the two lifeguards continued to provide first aid until paramedics arrived and transported the person to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, where they recovered from the incident.
“We are incredibly proud of these two off-duty lifeguards whose quick thinking, training, and selflessness saved a life when it mattered most,” said Peterborough Mayor Jeff Leal in a statement, adding their actions demonstrate that lifesaving skills extend beyond scheduled shifts.
Stephanie Bakalar of Lifesaving Society Ontario, who said lifeguards never know when they may be called upon to use their training, commended Fam and Kitchen for their selflessness and for embodying the organization’s motto, “Whomsoever you see in distress, recognize in them a fellow human being.”
