Lifeguards
I would like to comment on two articles that appeared on March 27.
The first dealt with the recent storm and its aftermath, particularly the recovery of the truck driver from the L.A. River. I would just like to point out that it was a Swiftwater Rescue Team composed of firefighters and county lifeguards that effected the recovery.
The reason this is significant becomes apparent in the adjacent article. This article reported the county’s projected shortfall of $1.4 billion. The article reports that the shortfall may result in the removal of lifeguards from 12 state- and city-owned beaches. In 1992 Los Angeles County ocean lifeguards saved the lives of 11,729 people, many on these beaches slated for closure. The primary goal of every lifeguard is to assure that every person enjoys his or her day at the beach and goes home alive. To eliminate lifeguards from these beaches is inviting disaster.
DAN ATKINS, President,
L.A. County Lifeguard Assn.
Newbury Park
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