New Towers Give Lifeguards Better Vantage Point
By Space Coast Daily // December 11, 2013
cooperative effort among Brevard County departments
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Thanks to several Brevard County departments working together, there’s a new look on the beach and it translates to a safer environment for visitors to Brevard County’s coast.
Brevard County Ocean Rescue lifeguards are better protected and better able to protect visitors to Brevard County beaches now that several new towers have been installed.
The towers give the lifeguards a better vantage point for water observation, better visible presence — the hope is to encourage beachgoers to congregate near monitored beach areas — while also offering the lifeguards protection from the elements.
NEW TOWERS PROVIDED BY BCSO WORK FARM PROGRAM
Towers were placed at Minutemen Causeway and Lori Wilson Park in Cococa Beach in early December.
The tower placed at Lori Wilson was a replacement of an existing one, which was more than 10 years old. The rest replaced singe-person red stands.
Lifeguards now have towers at four of the five year-round guarded areas of beach in Brevard County. Earlier this year, two towers were placed at Cocoa Beach Pier and Alan Shepard Park.
Ocean Rescue also is planning to build a fifth tower at Howard E. Futch Memorial Park at Paradise Beach in Melbourne.
A cooperative effort among several Brevard County departments translated to substantial savings for the project.
The new towers were made possible thanks to labor provided by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office work farm program.
Ocean Rescue provided the materials and supplies. Brevard County Public Works – Road & Bridge Maintenance did the relocation and placement of the towers.
OCEAN RESCUE PROVIDED MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
“The new addition of the two enclosed lifeguard towers provides better safety to the beachgoers of Brevard County,” said Ocean Rescue Chief Jeff Scabarozi, noting that similar sized survey towers can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“Through the help of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office work farm and also Road and Bridge, we’re able to save Brevard County money.”
