Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue Provides Safety First
By: Lead Lifeguards William Pfeiffer II and Justin Broman

Since incorporating in 1997 the City of Sunny Isles Beach has been experiencing redevelopment. From new luxury oceanfront high rises, to beautiful neighborhood parks, and the completion of a new Government Center, Sunny Isles Beach continues to improve.

Along with a new City comes the responsibility of protecting and serving residents and visitors. The Sunny Isles Beach Police Department does an excellent job making our City safe. The Planning & Zoning, Building and Code Enforcement and Licensing Departments all work to comply with local, State and Federal laws with regards to life-safety issues.

The City has added another agency contributing to people’s safety. This new agency, the City Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue (S.I.B.O.R.) is committed to keeping the City’s beaches safe and fun for all patrons.

Creating a new agency like the S.I.B.O.R. takes commitment, hard work, time, and money. During the development of this new agency many people have been involved. The Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue Lifeguards want to recognize those who put forth a great deal of effort to make this possible.

First we recognize City Manager Christopher J. Russo and Cultural and Human Services Director Susan Simpson for their logistical planning; Chief Fred Maas of the Sunny Isles Beach Police Department for his support; Marine Patrol Officers: Sgt. Dan Gnagi, Sgt. Lee Athanasiou, and Officer Joe Alvarez for helping build the beach patrol and supply communications, equipment, and training; and the Human Resources Director Tom Aquaro. Sylvia Arias and Vianka Kitaigorod are two behind the scenes employees in the Cultural and Human Services Department who deserve special thanks.

We would also like to recognize the elected officials of our community, Mayor Norman S. Edelcup, Vice Mayor Lewis J. Thaler, Commissioners Roslyn Brezin, Gerry Goodman, and Danny Iglesias for recognizing the need for an Ocean Rescue agency and supporting its creation.

All the above mentioned personnel paved the way for Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue. We as lifeguards take pride in our profession. We are proud to be a part of the City of Sunny Isles Beach and to keep our beaches safe for all.

Since opening state-of-the-art lifeguard towers in the Spring of 2005, Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue has recorded zero fatalities. The beach patrol responded to some thirty water-related rescues, half of which could have been fatal if not for our lifeguards’ actions. Our lifeguards are heroes to those victims who were saved. Some of these rescues required multi-tasks from the lifeguards responding to boaters in distress far off-shore to helping marine patrol units with sinking vessels in Haulover Cut.

Most good life-guarding goes unnoticed by the average beach-goer. Our lifeguards have made more than 4,000 preventions. These preventions keep swimmers safe before they get into trouble or are caught in dangerous rip currents.

ATVs and Jet skis allow us to patrol a larger area in a short amount of time. Quick response time is a huge factor in saving lives. The spring and summer months kept the lifeguards busy responding to some thirty various trauma and medical calls.

Educating the general public is another aspect of good life-guarding. We run a Junior Lifeguard Program, have new media advisements, and the beach flag warning system found at our lifeguard towers and beach parks.

In preparation for the anticipated growth of our City, the Cultural and Human Recourses Department will be expanding the Sunny Isles Beach Ocean Rescue by hiring more lifeguards.

We invite you to contact a lifeguard anytime during our hours of operation:

• Summer hours 9:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. April 3, 2005 to October 31, 2005
• Winter hours 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. October 31, 2005 – April 2, 2005.

If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1.

Remember the ocean can hold dangerous elements; so check with a lifeguard about conditions. Remember the United States Lifeguard Association recommends you “always swim near a lifeguard.” Be safe and have fun!

Lifeguards stands are located at:

• Ellen Wynne Beach Access, 192 Street and Collins Avenue
• Trump Beach Access, 180 Street and Collins Avenue
• Samson Oceanfront Park, 174 Street and Collins Avenue
• Pier Park, 163 Street and Collins Avenue
  

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