When help is needed at Deer Lake Beach, the public can be assured of well-trained, prepared lifeguards, according to a national consulting firm.
Independence Township Parks and Recreation has earned a ‘platinum award? from Ellis and Associates, a national consulting firm contracted by many public beaches, pools and waterparks to promote safety and preparedness certification.
The award came based on monthly, random and unannounced audits conducted by the firm at the township beach. Recreation programmer Kelly Arcello said inspectors come to the beach unannounced, at first observing normal lifeguard operations then introducing themselves and asking lifeguards to perform a variety of rescue drills.
The Independence crew earned a 100 percent rating on all three of last year’s audits, Arcello said.
‘It means a lot,? aquatics director Kevin Breen said. ‘There’s a lot of work that goes into preparing ourselves.?
The township employs approximately 30 lifeguards each summer, and they engage in twice-weekly training before and during the season to hone their skills. It’s a constant challenge, Breen said.
‘We never know when they’re coming,? he said.
The lifeguard crew has earned a silver award in the past, but Arcello said this is the first platinum award, placing them in a group of about 7 percent of waterfront crews in the nation.
‘They don’t issue these to a lot of departments,? she said.
Ellis and Associates is contracted by a wide variety of clients, Breen said, including Waterford Oaks County Park and Walt Disney World.
‘I think we’re kind of different to them, being a small beach,? Breen said, but the standards are still the same. ‘We have to be ready.?