scenarios, depending on how far the waters rose, as well as how long they took to recede. By midnight, the Civic was under water, and three feet of water filled the hotel’s first floor. He went from room to room and floor to floor, knocking on doors, alerting guests. He even called a nearby affiliated hotel and asked if they could honor the reservations all the guests had made so that, once evacuated, the guests would have a place to go. Saturnino stayed in constant contact with Tim Gunning, the fire marshal, relaying the conditions inside. By 4 a.m., the first floor was full of water and coming up the internal staircases to the second floor. Saturnino constantly updated Gunning as they worked through the evac scenarios. They also found a way to work with swiftwater rescue techs to relay preventative meds for a guest with epilepsy. The hotel was a hive of activity, inside and out. Saturnino, inexhaustible, was running on pure energy from doing what he loved. His brain flowed from one step into the next, planning alternatives, safety measures and coordinated communication. The water started to recede around 10 a.m., and it was safe enough for first responders to begin evacuation. The fire marshal approved Saturnino’s plan to take people out through the large doors of the hotel lobby—those with medical issues first, then children with their parents, and then others. Each guest could take one bag. By 2 p.m., evacuations became mandatory. The current of the flood waters had picked up several cars and thrown them into the hotel, which risked structural integrity of the building. Taking two backpacks stuffed with as many baby supplies as they could, the little Saturnino family boarded a high water rescue vehicle—the last three to leave. All other belongings they’d brought from Anchorage for the wedding, including Saturnino’s tuxedo and Victoria’s gown for the reception, were left behind. But they were safe and together, and Saturnino was proud that none of the hotel guests had been injured in the whole process. A few hours after the evacuation, his sister called him and said a SWAT truck had dropped off their bags at their new hotel. Baffled, Saturnino ran downstairs to see the bags he’d had to abandon at the old hotel, neatly packed and left for him. He was shocked. “[The chief of police] said it was the least they could do,” said Saturnino with a laugh, and happily, the wedding went off without another hitch. Though he directed all credit to the first responders who safely rescued the guests, the Borough of Conshohocken sent a letter to Saturnino’s command, requesting an award for him. Cmdr. Kevin Shmihluk, senior Reserve officer for Sector Anchorage, said he was amazed by the story, but that Saturnino’s actions were par for the course. ”He’s such a high-performing individual,” said Shmihluk. “He stands out as someone who’s older than his years, very mature. You can just tell that when he speaks, the rest of his peers listen. He carries weight when he speaks, and he communicates in a very mature way.” The letter from the Conshohocken’s city manager, fire marshal, and emergency management coordinator detailed his actions. “Acting as on scene leader, [Saturnino] liaised directly with the chief of police and fire marshal, providing critical to continuous updates for their situational awareness. When the floodwaters engulfed the lower lobby, he worked alongside the first responders to execute the mandatory evacuation. He then removed doors from entry ways to allow small boats to enter the lobby, fitted guests with lifejackets, and directed the use of highwater vehicles to rescue guests, waiting for all to reach safety prior to affecting his own family’s evacuation.” The letter went on. “Our first responders wanted to make sure [Petty Officer] Saturnino was recognized for his actions. No matter how hard I attempt to describe the importance of the role he played in the successful outcome of this incident, it would be understated— you simply had to be there that night to understand.” On Nov. 8, during the Reserve all hands weekend, the command of Sector Anchorage presented Saturnino with the Coast Guard Commendation Medal for assisting with the hotel rescue. He was floored. Shmihluk said the command is incredibly proud of their new reservist. “He’s a very selfless person in general,” said Shmihluk, “and everything he did that day is just indicative of who he is as a person.” Saturnino was humbled by the attention the case got, and said he was just glad he was able to use his training to anticipate and avoid problems, and make sure no one got hurt. “I love my job,” he said. “I love response. I love what I do.” � Left: Mike and Victoria Saturnino and their newborn daughter, Eretrea, visit Eagle River, Alaska, two weeks after the rescue. Mike, who'd been coordinating the rescue, Victoria, Hurricane Ida a family flooded their doctor assisting guests, and their daughter were the last three to be evacuated after water from Opposite page: Saturnino assists hotel. hotel guests with life jackets and coordinates their delivery to emergency response personnel for rescue Sept. 1, 2021. More than 100 guests were rescued from the hotel after rising river water flooded the entire first floor of the hotel. Issue 1 • 2022 � RESERVIST 23
