Lifeguard of the Year: Joseph Pennell

Last night (August 2nd), our very own Lifeguard Sergeant Joseph Pennell was recognized as Lifeguard Of The Year at the San Diego Padres game in Petco Park. Sergeant Pennell accepted this award on the field during the San Diego Padres Salute To First Responders pregame ceremony and threw the ceremonial first pitch, which is a longstanding ritual of baseball where the guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game.

The City would to like continue the celebration and give a big congratulations to Joseph for this impressive and noteworthy recognition. The City is honored to have Sgt. Pennell on our team!

On top of the many lives Sgt. Pennell has saved over his career, he also runs the City's Junior Lifeguard Program that educates thousands of kids (age 7-15) about beach and ocean safety, first aid, and how to be a positive and contributing member of the community. It is not these things that make Joseph deserving of Lifeguard Of The Year, but more about how he does them. Sgt. Pennell never complains and he is always smiling and cheerful, even after many long (10-12 hour) days of teaching kids, managing employees, and parental demands. He does this every day with a smile and a positive can-do attitude. Sgt. Pennell has trained and taught countless kids and lifeguards over his career, translating into thousands of lives saved and making our community a much more positive place. Sgt. Joseph Pennell is well-deserving of Lifeguard Of The Year!