Beach Patrol

To help protect the residents and tourists, the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Volunteer Fire Department established the Beach Patrol in 2008. Two certified firefighters patrol the Town's 2.4 miles of beach on all terrain vehicles equipped with life safety rings, First-Aid kits, radios and GPS devices. The Beach Patrol is also equipped with a water scooter for ocean rescues.

Life Safety Poles

The Town in 2009 installed life safety poles equipped with life rings along the beach. The poles are numbered to make it easy for people to tell rescue personnel where they are located. This has been an issue in the past, especially for people who don't know the area. View a Safety Pole Map (PDF).

In an emergency situation, please remember to call 911 immediately.

Rip Currents

One of the biggest threats to swimmers, especially tourists not familiar with the ocean, is rip currents, which are strong channels or columns of water rushing back into the sea. Rip currents can pull even the strongest swimmers away from the shore. If you are caught in a rip current, don't panic and don't attempt to fight the current. Swim parallel to the shoreline. Once you are free of the rip current, swim back to the beach.

View a Town flier (PDF) about the dangers rip currents pose to swimmers. If you live in a beachfront condo here in Town or own a beach area hotel or motel, please print out the flier and post it where people can see it. Rip currents are a hazard in Florida and swimmers are advised to stay out of the water when conditions are dangerous. For daily rip current info in South Florida, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website.