| LBTS COMMISSIONER TRADES SIDESHOW FOR SERIOUS DIALOGUE ON BEACH SAFETY |
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SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 By Anne Siren, Pompano Pelican 
Two recent drownings off the beach in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea are tragic reminders that the glory of living on the ocean also involves certain risks. Last week, Mayor Oliver Parker asked a noted writer and expert on ocean lifeguard techniques, Dr. John Fletmeyer, to speak at the meeting. Fletmeyer had planned to discuss liabilities, proactive education and alternatives to lifeguards. Fletmeyer’s discussion included possible training for safety and fire officials on how to react if they were called to a possible drowning. But Fletmeyer was brushed off before any dialogue could be initiated when Commissioner Jerry McIntee informed the commission that the volunteer fire fighters were already training with one of their own volunteers. They are training, according to volunteer fire fighter Lt. Scott Fowler, a Fort Lauderdale life guard, to be able to assist swimmers in distress. Fowler added that volunteer fire fighters are actually going into rip currents and learning how to escape. But, according to Fowler, these are part of the volunteer regular training sessions, and there is no organized class to train volunteers as certified lifeguards. And why should they be? The public assumes that all fire fighters and BSO deputies are well trained in first aid. And, in case of drownings, both BSO and fire rescue are always called. The tragic loss of these two lives is not a call for volunteer fire fighters to take on the duties of lifeguards. McIntee, also a volunteer fire fighter, needs to remember his job when he sits on the dais. Those moments are for legislating in the best interests of the good people of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. It is not a time to promote the volunteers and offer them for yet another job. And as a result of marketing more heroics of the volunteers, there was no discussion regarding a reasonable solution to the lack of lifeguards on the beach. Fear of liability, high costs and private beach issues have kept this commission from addressing ocean dangers. Here is what we learned from Fletmeyer after the meeting. First better signage, perhaps in more than one language should be in place. Placing solar-powered call boxes at intervals along the beach could help observers get help to victims quicker. Requiring beach property owners to have on hand life saving devices, such as life preservers attached to lines, surf boards or other items that could be thrown or used to rescue swimmers, could be vital in case of an emergency. Beyond that, restaurants, hotels and condominiums could launch educational programs through brochures or meetings to discuss rip currents and safe ocean swimming. Certainly, Lt. Fowler and others would be happy to speak at such meetings. Businesses, hotels and restaurants benefit financially from tourism. Everyone has a stock in keeping the beach safe. It is unlikely that LBTS will ever hire lifeguards since most of the beaches are on private property. And it is not likely that residents, already fired up with a $260 fire assessment, would be very thrilled to pay higher taxes to fund lifeguards. Educate the tourists, encourage them to be alert, have safety backups on hand, place some solar phones on the beach and form local workshops to formulate better ideas. The LBTS Chamber is one venue to begin the education process through its own meetings with its members, many of whom are hotel owners and condominium residents. Meanwhile let BSO do its job, BSO fire fighters and EMS do their jobs, volunteer fire fighters do their jobs and commissioners do their jobs. As for the two commissioners who also serve as chief and deputy volunteer fire fighter chief, let them figure out which hat to wear at what meeting. And reason will return to LBTS. |
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