lifeguard and flagpole update

[SoWalSally]

From the Walton Sun:

Beach safety issues, including the placement of flagpoles and lifeguards, are being resolved in Walton County.
Twenty out of the 29 flagpoles that were destroyed as a result of recent storms should be installed by the end of the weekend, Brad Pickel, Director of Beach Management for the Tourist Development Council, said.
“We have been working diligently,” manager of beach maintenance for the TDC David Sell said.
Out of the nine remaining poles to be installed, Pickel said that four will be in place after walkovers have been reconstructed. Seawalls constructed along the coast are hampering the installation of the remaining five.
“It shouldn’t take very much longer,” Pickel said.
Sell explained that from a constructability standpoint, there were a multitude of reasons reinstallation took so long, including recent storms, an unusually high water table, exposed peat and missing beach accesses.
“Good location, highly visible, that’s the key,” Pickel said about pole placement. “We try to keep them out of the storms way, but try to keep them visible.”
According to Walton County’s Beach Activities Director Leslie Campbell, all easements for placements of the poles have been obtained. Sandestin, Seaside, Watersound and Topsail have yet to sign the contract enabling the county to install the poles.
“It should be done within this next week,” she said.
According to Pickel, the lifeguard program should be prepared for the Board of County Commissioners approval by late November or early December.
At the Walton Board of County Commissioners meeting Sept. 27, the TDC was directed to formulate a plan to post lifeguards at six regional beach accesses.
“It’s moving right along,” Pickel said.
In addition, the TDC is installing beach safety information kiosks at beach accesses.
“The trick is in finding locations (for the kiosks). It’s the last piece of the puzzle,” Pickel explained.
“Our goal is beach safety. We’ll continue working
as expediently as possible,” Sell said.

[SoWalSally]

Lifeguards will be posted at six of Walton County’s 53 public beach access points.
The Board of Walton County Commissioners voted unanimously to seek proposals from agencies interested in providing certified lifeguards under the United States Lifesaving Association guidelines.
“I think the county commission has taken a great leadership step,” Tourist Development Council Director Kris Titus said.
Currently, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office and the South Walton Fire District are both creating plans to submit to the board.
“We’re interested in the bidding,” SWFD Deputy Chief Sean Hughes said.
“Areas directly protected by lifeguards are not perfectly safe, but very safe,” president of the USLA Chris Brewster said.
He explained that national statistics show in areas with lifeguards on duty drownings occur at a 1 per 18 million ratio compared to estimated beach attendance to number of drownings in areas under life guard protection.
The USLA was responsible for overhauling the lifesaving program implemented by Island Authority in Pensacola. Since the implementation of a more comprehensive lifeguard program on Pensacola Beach and the Santa Rosa Island, the amount of drowning dramatically decreased, explained Brewster.
Between April 2000 and Aug. 31, 2003, there were 21 drownings on beaches controlled by the Island Authority. Since Aug. 31, 2003 there have been none.
Brewster explained that a comprehensive water safety plan is multifaceted.
“The first place to staff lifeguards is where people gather to swim. The majority of swimmers tend to congregate at the (public accesses). A significant proportion of the drowning deaths in Walton County occurred near accesses,” he continued.
Brewster explained that inland tourists may not realize the strength of the rip currents within the Gulf. Tourism generally focuses on the beautiful beaches, not the safety hazards.
“It can kill even the most experienced swimmer. Many of the deaths in Walton County occurred when someone was wading or rescuing someone else,” he said. “The Pacific Ocean is so vast that there is surf almost all of the time. There is some degree of rip current all the time. In the Gulf, there are days when there is no surf and days when there is some surf. That’s what surprises people. You end up with a less capable swimmer who feels emboldened by normal conditions. On beaches with consistent surf, people are more wary.”
“The Gulf can be very, very dangerous. It’s very beautiful, but very danger- ous,” said Titus.
Brewster said lifeguards need to be in places and times when people are known to swim. He said there is a problem throughout Florida to terminate lifeguard duty too early during peak season. In addition, he believes there should be an ongoing education system that starts away from the beach, such as educational materials in rental properties.
“It may not be aesthetically pleasing, but aesthetics don’t matter if you’re dead,” he said.
Titus explained the county’s safety mascot Seemore the Crab will still play a large role in the TDC’s educational efforts. “The most important thing is education, education, education,” she said. According to Brewster, swimmers need to be responsible for their actions as well. “Anyone who is swimming takes a certain degree of responsibility,” he said.
He continued, “once you declare your beaches are protected, you create a level of expectation within the public. You need to follow through effectively.”

[SoWalSally]

From Walton Sun

The Walton Board of County Commissioners refrained from voting on a proposal for the long anticipated lifeguard program Tuesday night.
Commissioners leaned toward the South Walton Fire District’s plan, which was recommended in a presentation by the Beach Safety Committee. However, they decided to wait for more information from the other two applicants.
“I was a little disappointed and a little confused,” SWDF Deputy Chief Sean Hughes said.
Lifeguard proposals submitted by SWFD, Walton County Sheriff’s Office and local businessman David Probert were to be created using county guidelines. The request for proposal asked for a program centered on the United States Lifesaving Association Guidelines, which call for two lifeguards at each station, at six regional beach accesses.
The Sheriff’s Office proposal includes one USLAcertified lifeguard at each beach access and two mobile lifeguards for $280,933 annually.
For $427,000 annually, SWFD proposes two lifeguards at each access. The program would be developed under the supervision of USLA member and academy instructor and Surf Lifesaving Australia Certified Instructor Gary Wise.
“Our goal is to have the best service possible for the most reasonable cost to the taxpayers,” Sheriff’s Office Capt. Danny Glidewell said. “We don’t think any other agency has the infrastructure in place to do that at a reasonable cost.”
Commissioners believed the proposals could not be accurately compared since the county’s initial request did not specify the number of lifeguards they wanted at each access.
“We didn’t have all of the information,” Commissioner Cindy Meadows said. “The presentation was just not enough to make a decision.”
The board wants to “fine tune the scope of the services,” Commissioner Scott Brannon said.
“The RFP was very specific in nature,” Hughes said. “We took great pains to answer what the RFP’s guidelines asked for.”
“Judging criteria seemed fair, the RPF seemed fair,” Wise said. The BCC still anticipates having lifeguards on the beach by March.
“I think it’s extremely important to keep processes moving quickly as we approach tourist season,” Brannon said. Hughes is anxious to have a program start as quickly as possible. “I’m tired of pulling dead bodies out of the Gulf of Mexico,” he said.
The BCC will address the lifeguard proposals at its Jan. 24 meeting in DeFuniak Springs.

[SoWalSally]

Walton Sun editorial:

The two proposals submitted by South Walton Fire District and Walton County Sheriff’s Office perhaps illuminate the difference between law enforcement officials and rescue personnel.
The Sheriff’s proposes six stationary lifeguards and two roving ones. The Sheriff’s Office would contract with the United States Lifeguard Association to conduct one certification class each season.
SWFD has proposed 12 stationary lifeguards and a roving supervisor. It distinguishes the lifeguard training saying that lifeguards along the beach should be “surf trained” lifeguards.
As to management of the program, the Sheriff’s proposal offers no plan for supervision other than its current beach patrol unit.
SWFD, on the other hand, spells out specifically clear lines of responsibility, including naming the person the district would hire as its hands-on chief of the lifeguard team.
It discusses the areas of responsibility of the individual lifeguard and sets out the expected response times for rescues.
The Sheriff’s proposal relies heavily on its lower proposed costs and existing resources.
The SWFD proposes a professional unit that would be proactive in preventing water accidents with the establishment of a Junior Lifeguard program and the unit working towards national accreditation under the USLA.
The Sheriff’s proposal points out that it is “the primary enforcement unit for all state statues on the beaches.” That’s great for loud parties and drunken assaults, but I’ve never seen a shark arrested.
What we need on the beach to prevent drownings is experienced rescuers.
We appreciate all that the Sheriff’s Office does for us in keeping us safe. And we have seen his officers go into the water, boots and all in a rescue attempt. And maybe that’s our point.
We hate to think that in the event of a law enforcement emergency, that the Sheriff would have to pull any personnel off his one-man stands in order to meet that emergency. Remember when there were deputies stationed at County Roads 395 and 283? They were off duty officers paid by the county to man those two intersections. There were as many times as not when only half the number of cars and officers were there because nearby “law enforcement” emergency calls took priority.
On the other hand, SWFD can call on any number of other nearby fire districts for mutual aid when faced with a resource shortfall.
While officers from the Sheriff’s Office have made some heroic rescues, it is the South Walton Fire District that has responded to and participated in every water incident. Their rescue officers are trained paramedics.
It has been the SWFD that has monitored water conditions and worked with Emergency Operations Center to make sure the proper warning flags were always in place.
The county delayed putting lifeguards on the beach because of the liability issues it would create. The Sheriff’s proposal is a minimalist approach and while it might be cheaper on paper, is it going to be cheaper when the county has to defend that approach in a claim by a drowning vic tim’s family?
This is one time were the lowest bid may not be the best bid.

[SoWalSally]

From Walton Sun

After facing local and national scrutiny regarding beach safety, Walton County will have a lifeguard program.
The Walton County Board of County Commissioners awarded the South Walton Fire District a contract to provide lifeguard services for six area beach accesses at a Jan. 24 meeting.
Within the past few years, drownings at unguarded beaches throughout the Panhandle have been the subject of national attention. On the notorious “Black Sunday,” June 8, 2003, six people drowned on Walton County beaches.
Neighboring counties have seen a marked decrease in drownings since the implementation of lifeguard programs. Between April 2000 and Aug. 31, 2003, there were 21 drownings on Pensacola beaches. After revamping the lifeguard program, there has been zero.
“We’re very excited at the opportunity to provide this much needed program,” SWFD Deputy Chief Sean Hughes said.
Following USLA guidelines, SWFD’s proposal places two lifeguards at each access. The program will be developed under the supervision of USLA member and academy saving Australia certified Instructor Gary Wise.
SWFD’s propsal was chosen over the Walton County Sheriff’s Office proposal.
“We stand by our proposal,” Capt. Danny Glidewell said. “We think we could have provided the best service.”
Through the beach patrol, the Sheriff’s Office wants to provide the best possible service for beachgoers, regardless of the situation, Glidewell explained.
“No matter who we have to work with or what we have to do, we’ll still provide the best service for the tourists,” he continued.
Hughes reminds swimmers that lifeguards are only a piece of the puzzle. The six county-owned regional beach accesses make up only about one mile of the 26-mile coastline.
“There are still vast areas that are going to be unguarded,” he said. “We’ll be working with the beach patrol to get the word out there.”

[SoWalSally]

From Walton Sun

Walton County taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for the new lifeguard program.
The Walton Board of County Commissioners voted to fund the program from bed taxes through the Tourist Development Council at a Jan. 24 meeting.
Bed taxes, or tourist development tax, are a local sales tax that applies to the rental of living accommodations for less than six months. Walton County charges 4 percent for property south of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Under the direction of the South Walton Fire District, the program will cost the TDC approximately $427,000.
Lifeguards should be beneficial in attracting tourists to Walton County beaches, Kriss Titus, director of the Tourist Development Council, said. A TDC survey revealed that 62 percent of people would prefer to swim where lifeguards are present.
“It is important to visitors,” she said.
Lifeguards will be an integral part of the TDC’s ongoing beach safety efforts, including public education. Beachgoers should be aware of other safety measures, such as the flag system, Titus explained.
“What we need to emphasize most is an educated consumer,” she said.

[Bob]

Ok all you anti-lifeguard scholars, let's here it.

[30A Skunkape]

Ya take a swim, ya take yer chances. :cool:

[Bob]

Well said for New Orleans

[30A Skunkape]

Maybe if we had FEMA lifeguards in place prior to the storm things would have been different :rolling: :rolling:

[Tootsie]

If we're going to provide lifeguards, then I'm happy we're providing a professional program through the South Walton Fire Department. I am convinced we will all benefit from beach patrol and lifeguards at the main beach accesses. And congratulations to Sowal Fire Dept for an outstanding proposal! They are the best qualified for the job all the way around, IMO!!! :clap_1:

[Paula]

I am glad there will be some life guards on 30A. Out of curiosity, what does a life guard do to save someone from a rip tide? Do they have special equipment? Can they tell when rip tides are present and warn people to stay away from them? I've heard there are ways you can tell when rip tides are present by looking at the way the waves come to shore.

[Smiling JOe]

I am glad there will be some life guards on 30A. Out of curiosity, what does a life guard do to save someone from a rip tide? Do they have special equipment? Can they tell when rip tides are present and warn people to stay away from them? I've heard there are ways you can tell when rip tides are present by looking at the way the waves come to shore.Donna, if you know what you are looking for, spotting rip currents is fairly easy. You are looking for a focussed flow of water, almost river-like, heading out to sea. I have not been trained as a life-guard, but I don't forsee any unordinary problems rescuing someone from a rip current than any other circumstance. I think the most important thing in rescuing is to have a floatation device when you go out.

[Paula]

Thanks, Joe. I've also heard that it looks like two waves coming into shore at a V-formation -- the rip tide would be where the two waves meet and then retreat back to sea. Of course, this wouldn't necessary mean that there wouldn't be rip tides in less obvious places.

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks, Joe. I've also heard that it looks like two waves coming into shore at a V-formation -- the rip tide would be where the two waves meet and then retreat back to sea. Of course, this wouldn't necessary mean that there wouldn't be rip tides in less obvious places.I just look for currents flowing in opposite direction of the waves. Waves still across the currents, but they are typically muted somewhat. The currents are handy for getting out to the waves when paddling my kayak. They shoot you right out.

If ripcurrents are present, you will most likely see yellow, red or double red flags flying, and lifeguards should be aware of the currents and try to inform people of the potential danger.

[aquaticbiology]

I suppose the first legal tests will be this year then, some extremely drunk hell-cat of a woman from Durt, Kentucky fresh off the Jerry Springer Show simply won't come out of the water when told.

Do the lifeguards have the power to arrest? (or to spank? she'd like that better!)

Will there be an ad by Jim Stuckinsinder, Attournee Et Lawwww that says "If you or your loved ones were looked at wrong by the Lifeguards, or your feeeelings were hurt, we can get you MONEEEY!"

Wonder who will try the first lifeguard sex case? (the same woman from Durt, Kentucky, is also charged with stripping another lifeguard, who was also a local fireman, painting him with strawberry jam and repeatedly licking his tanned, muscular body)

oh the wonderful things that we have yet to see - looking forward to reading all about it - better than a romance novel on a cold and blustery holiday

[Smiling JOe]

I am hoping that the SWFD will hire cute college girls to lifeguard. Now what were you saying about sex?

[Tootsie]

Wonder who will try the first lifeguard sex case? (the same woman from Durt, Kentucky, is also charged with stripping another lifeguard, who was also a local fireman, painting him with strawberry jam and repeatedly licking his tanned, muscular body)

oh the wonderful things that we have yet to see - looking forward to reading all about it - better than a romance novel on a cold and blustery holiday


OH! I had not thought about potential lifeguard sex incidents on the beach... hmmmmmmm. might spice up the Sun. :shock:

[aquaticbiology]

actually I was thinking of the calendars with the half-naked firemen, I suppose one of those, but with Lifeguards, is in our future.

I can't shake this bug - getting depressed - sorry kids if I'm bumming y'all out - interesting going back and reading what I wrote (clever, too) but having no memory of it once the cold medicine kicked in

[30A Skunkape]

Mrs skunkape and I were wondering if drowning victims on Alys Beach had to pass a means test prior to rescue! :funn:

[SoWalSally]

From Walton Sun

Within the next few weeks, South Walton residents will see lifeguards training on the beach.
Under the direction of Gary Wise, South Walton’s new lifeguard program is getting off its feet. Wise was instrumental in helping Destin initiate a United States Life Guards Association program.
“South Walton will take on similar or higher standards,” he said.
The first order of business is hiring 24 lifeguards.
Applicants will be required to complete a 500 meter swim and one and a half mile beach run. Those selected will be trained in board rescue, managing swim areas and swimming and rescue techniques.
A full-time, seasonal position, lifeguarding is a good introduction for someone who wants to be a firefighter or split time between other seasonal jobs, such as ski instructing, Wise said.
Though the lifeguards are the foundation of the program, equipment, like rescue boards and towers, still needs to be purchased.
“It’s like opening a business,” Wise said.
The most invaluable tool for the program will be the “synergy” between local agencies, businesses and residents to provide tourists with education, Wise explained.
“It’s about everyone working together – beach vendors, the condo associations and the surfers,” he said.
Eventually, Wise hopes to create a South Walton beach “culture” embracing the business and sport of lifesaving, which includes swimming, board paddling, sea boat paddling and surfboat rowing.
As the president of the Emerald Coast Chapter of the Junior Lifeguard program, he would like to have more lifesaving events geared towards children throughout the local area.
“It gives kids another sport and benefits them because they know how to save lives,” he said.
A native of Sydney, Wise explained Australians have a different approach to beach activities. Children often get involved with lifesaving at a very early age.
“It’s like kids (in America) getting into baseball,” he said.
For more than 30 years, Wise has been involved with lifesaving activities. He is a USLA member and academy instructor and Surf Lifesaving Australia Certified Instructor. Amidst other accomplishments, he is a World Lifesaving Master Surfboat Champion and United States Surf Rowers Association President.
Until now, lifesaving has never been Wise’s primary job. A PGA golf professional and trainer in the Destin area, he will now focus his efforts entirely on the burgeoning program.
“My life so far, coaching has been my job and surf lifesaving was for sport. Now lifesaving will be my primary occupation,” he said. “One hundred percent of my efforts will go into the lifeguard program.”

[Smiling JOe]

According to the local news this morning, the SoWal Fire Dpt has received 11 applications (not necessariy qualified) to fill the 24 jobs. Perhaps they need to get those wages up from $12.50 per hour to get local adults to fill the slots. College kids cannot do it because they are still in school when the season begins as are high school kids. Maybe the SWFD should look at the thread regarding minimum/living wages for SoWal.:idontno:

[kurt]

Walton County lifeguards keep busy educating the public about the concerns of skin cancer and sun poisoning by demonstrating proper lounging techniques UNDER umbrellas NEXT TO the attractive lifeguard stands.

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/1/sugarbeachinn039.jpg

[kurt]

http://www.co.walton.fl.us

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/1/Lifeguards1.jpg

[lindatat]

Walton County lifeguards keep busy educating the public about the concerns of skin cancer and sun poisoning by demonstrating proper lounging techniques UNDER umbrellas NEXT TO the attractive lifeguard stands.


Do I detect sarcasm? Too funny!

:clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

[yippie]

Kurt, where was the photo taken?

[kurt]

Kurt, where was the photo taken?

Santa Clara access

[yippie]

Santa Clara access


I'm sorry. Could you help me out please? Where exactly is the Santa Clara access? The beach looks BEAUTIFUL there!!!

[lindatat]

I'm sorry. Could you help me out please? Where exactly is the Santa Clara access? The beach looks BEAUTIFUL there!!!

"Located on County Hwy 30-A across from Santa Clara Avenue in
Seagrove Beach." Found on this link:

http://www.beachesofsouthwalton.com/beach_access.asp

[Paula]

It is beautiful indeed. I think most of the beaches along 30A look that nice if you take the photo facing the water. The many photos of sunsets along 30A we've seen are gorgeous, too. Can't wait to get there (less than a month)!

[InletBchDweller]

we went to Inlet BeaCH last weekend on sat and sun and it was nice having the lifeguards there. They were very informative about the flags. There were 2 flags that they had placed in the sand where it was a 'safe' place to swim. They would watch the waves and moved them accordingly. Some kids tried to run up a dune and they stopped them!!!:clap_1: :clap_1:
When some young kids wanted to get in the water one of the lifeguards held one of the kids hand and talked with her about safety and then took her to the water....I was impressed
I hope that this turns out well.....

[Miss Kitty]

Thanks for that report IBD. I have seen footprints up the dunes here at WC and will be adding that to my list of suggestions. There are NO signs telling people to stay off. I'd sit out there all day with a slingshot, but I need to SoWal sometime.

[iwishiwasthere]

Thanks for that report IBD. I have seen footprints up the dunes here at WC and will be adding that to my list of suggestions. There are NO signs telling people to stay off. I'd sit out there all day with a slingshot, but I need to SoWal sometime.

If the board gets a little slow, you could take your slingshot and use paintballs....a dune crasher's verison of the Scarlett Letter.