Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when St. Johns County provides seasonal lifeguard towers in addition to career response from St. Johns County Fire Rescue (SJCFR), the SJCFR/lifeguard team responded to approximately 7,200 calls for emergency service on County beaches.lifeguard tower

Most notably, there were zero drowning accidents. Averaging a response rate of 71 events daily, responses included 180 calls to help swimmers in distress, 156 calls for medical attention, 49 calls for missing persons, 44 calls for traumatic injury, 47 calls for vessel assistance, and 4 calls for assistance to extinguish fire in a vessel. The majority of calls were for marine rescue staff to assist citizens (6,719).

Roughly 18 lifeguard towers cover 42 miles of St. Johns County coastline during the spring/summer beachgoer season. Approximately 50 seasonal personnel, enhanced by career firefighters, are responsible for keeping the beaches safe.

Although lifeguard towers will no longer be staffed as of September 3, mobile truck patrols through the various beach zones will continue until mid-September 2013. Beach patrons are reminded to utilize the 911 system for any emergency occurring on St. Johns County beaches. These emergencies will continue to receive a SJCFR response throughout the year.

Source: St. Johns County