Fred Rogers of the infamous Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” So, that’s exactly what we did. This week’s “Ask the Pro” highlights Cory Ciekot, the definition of a true local “helper.”
A lifelong beach resident, at 36 years old Cory is beginning his 21st summer as a Lifeguard, guarding the beaches as the acting Medical Officer for all of the Delaware State Parks, as well as a Firefighter/EMT at the Rehoboth Beach Firehouse. “I grew up in this community, and I work here, so that’s the cool part,” he says. If you ever see an emergency at the beach, hear sirens, or see people running away… odds are, Cory is the guy running in. “I like to help people. I think, If I’m not doing it, who is?” Cory says.
At a young age Cory was a part of the Jr. Lifeguarding Program at Middlesex Beach; a local program hosted by the Delaware Beach Patrol that teaches water safety, first aid techniques and helps prepare interested kids for work as future lifeguards. Upon completing the program he was hired, at just 16 years old, to be a lifeguard at Middlesex Beach and he guarded beaches every consecutive summer since then. “I have always loved the water,” he explains with a smile.
After High School, Cory took his love of the water and his penchant for helping others to a much more extreme level, serving as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer in the Coast Guard for 12 years. Jumping out of helicopters to save people in distress is both an honorable and dangerous profession. “I helped some of the best pilots in the world. We clocked 1,600 flight hours and I was deployed to 10 Hurricanes,” Cory recalls. “During my time I was able to save, or assist in saving, over 700 people.”
So, if you’re looking for the helpers during times of trouble, Cory Ciekot is a definite standout.
