Beach Safety Ocean Rescue seeks reaccreditation

Posted On: October 23, 2020

With a robust group of cross-trained team members and triple-certified law enforcement officers, Beach Safety Ocean Rescue is a prestigious public safety organization operating with the safety of residents and visitors at the heart of their mission. To continue providing this level of service, the division will again seek reaccreditation through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) later this year.

Recognizing the value of operating under the highest standardized level of service, Beach Safety Ocean Rescue has been accredited since 2006 by the CFA. In early December, a team of independent assessors from the CFA will once again review Beach Safety Ocean Rescue’s policies, procedures, management and operating practices and, pending clearance, will reaccredit the agency for another three years.

“Employing triple-certified law enforcement officers on our team affords Beach Safety the opportunity to provide multiple services to beachgoers, offering a value and level of safety not commonly found in other coastal areas,” said Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Director Ray Manchester. “Maintaining accreditation through the CFA is just one of many resources we utilize to ensure our team functions in the most efficient and effective manner.”

Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue oversees and cares for more than 10 million people who visit the county’s beaches annually. Staff members are cross-trained and triple-certified as law enforcement officers, lifeguards and emergency medical technicians.

Beach Safety oversees four districts ranging from New Smyrna Beach to Ormond-by-the-Sea, and responsibilities include everything from water rescue and boater rescues up to three miles offshore to missing persons and related emergencies. Lifeguards also handle enforcement of beach laws and regulations related to beach and water use. The county's Lifeguard Corps uses a wide range of equipment including lifeguard trucks, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft and a 21-foot rescue boat. The agency has also acquired drones for its Unmanned Aircraft System Program.

The Beach Safety division is also accredited as an advanced lifesaving agency by the U.S. Lifesaving Association.

To learn more about Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, including opportunities to join this elite team, visit Volusia.org/beach.

2019 Beach Safety Ocean Rescue statistics

Enforcement measures:
• Warning citations – 450
• Citations – 746
• Arrests and NTAs – 1442

Assistance provided:
• Rescues/victims – 2,309 / 4,060
• Major medicals – 256
• First aid – 479
• Jellyfish stings – 3,165
• Environmental calls – 927
• Disabled vehicle – 1,829
• Found adult or child – 34
• Preventive actions – 61,151