Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 23, 2016 8:18 p.m.
Fernandina Beach Fire Chief Ty Silcox provided the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) with welcome news during his 2016 season summary relating to beach safety: there were no drownings on island beaches, despite a season with significant rip tide issues and a healthy increase in beach population.
During his slide presentation to the FBCC at their September 20, 2016 Regular Meeting Silcox reported that the city’s 49 USLA-trained lifeguards had covered 13 towers along 12 miles of island coastline. By agreement with Nassau County, the city provides lifeguards to both city and county beaches on Amelia Island.
Silcox explained the rigorous training that guards must complete to become certified by the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA). During the 2-step training program to qualify for Ocean Rescue candidates must demonstrate that they can swim 500 meters in 10 minutes or less; tread water for 5 minutes; swim 15 yards underwater; and dive and retrieve objects from a depth of 7-10 feet.
There are also First Aid and CPR course requirements and no less than 40 hours of accredited coursework in open water lifesaving. Silcox stressed that the 40-hour requirement is a hard and fast rule.
Additionally, returning guards must complete an additional 16 hours of formal training per USLA guidelines and again complete first aid and CPR training.
The lifeguards currently cover 7 towers within city limits and 6 in the county. The two beaches with the most activity are Peters Point Park and Main Beach Park, each of which contains 4 towers.
Silcox said that two unguarded locations are considered “hot spots:” Beach Access 13 in the city at Jasmine Street and the Amelia Pier, also in the city. He is considering adding additional stands to city beaches within current staffing constraints for the 2017 season.
Going forward, Silcox is anticipating better communications with local businesses over beach conditions, better time management and staffing through new programs, and a vigorous recruitment program for new and returning guards.
Recommendations for further improvements to the city’s beach rescue efforts were also presented to the FBCC.
In response to a question from Commissioner Len Kreger, Silcox reported that the city has been accepted into a pilot program to assess the usefulness of drones in improving beach safety.
Mayor John Miller, who has had a special interest in beach safety, commended Silcox for his successes in the program to date. “Preventable drownings was my number one goal,” Miller said. “The key was education.” He cited the interactions between guards and beachgoers warning of riptides. “That’s how you keep people from drowning,” he said. “The best lifeguards in the world never get wet because they prevent swimmers from getting into those situations.”
“I can’t tell you how grateful I am, how appreciative I am, for your efforts this year,” Miller said, adding, “and I look forward to nest year being the same.”
Silcox replied, “Mayor, I appreciate the praise, but I couldn’t do it without my staff. We had a great group of lifeguards this year who worked their rear ends off there on the beach, and we hope that we are able to bring them back next year with the same results.
“There are literally people and their children who are alive today because of what you and your people have done. Well done, sir,” an emotional Miller concluded.
The commissioners and audience seconded Miller’s remarks with a round of applause.
An amazing job from an incredible group of dedicated people!!
Thank you for keeping our beaches and all of us safe!!