MELBOURNE BEACH, Fla. – The town of Melbourne Beach wants to use volunteers to boost beach safety through awareness.
The town is proposing a beach ambassador program. The civilian volunteers would get awareness-level training on things like rip current awareness, first aid, non-hazardous water rescue basics, local wildlife protection, and binocular use, so they know what to do during the initial steps of common beach emergencies.
“They would be able to come out as a volunteer ambassador to the town and help educate beachgoers that might not be familiar with our beaches on the hazards that we face here on the Space Coast,” fire chief Gavin Brown said.
The ambassadors would not take the place of first responders in an emergency but would be able to provide initial help.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
The hope is that the volunteers would cut down on the need for hiring additional lifeguards. The proposal by Melbourne Beach’s fire chief said the town looked into hiring extra full-time lifeguards after several ocean rescues occurred last year along the Brevard County coast, but found it to be costly.
The Brevard County government will look into whether there are any liability issues with the program. Government leaders would also have to consider a start-up budget, as well as policies and procedures for the program.
Mike Suchar said he’d like to volunteer.
“Just do my part, I enjoy driving those type of vehicles,” he said.
Brevard County said eight people drowned at the beach in the county last year.
“I’m concerned when I see little kids close to it,” Suchar said. “Just keep an eye on them. I guess it’s a parenting thing.”
Chief Brown was encouraged to find someone willing to volunteer already.
“It feels good,” he said. “I think that if we can get enough people from the community to come and volunteer and have civic pride, then we could save lives and that’s what this program is ultimately about.”
Chief Brown said those interested in volunteering should email firetraining@melbournebeachfl.org.
Last year Melbourne Beach was one of the towns that county commissioners wanted to pay 50% of the cost of lifeguards stationed at their beaches. The plan would go into effect in the budget year that starts Oct. 1.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: