National Security Ministry moves to address lifeguards' concerns

After complaints by lifeguards about inadequate resources and manpower, the Ministry of National Security said it is working with the Lifeguard Services Division (LSD) to address concerns and make TT beaches safer.

The ministry, in a statement on Sunday, said some of its senior management team and the LSD have been meeting over the past several months with the aim of bringing about reasonable and cost-effective resolutions to matters affecting lifeguards.

Lifeguards who had, before the Easter long weekend, asked for resources to properly secure the country's beaches, increased their demands after two people drowned. Lifeguards had asked for vehicles to patrol the long stretch of beach in Mayaro and Guayaguayare.

In the statement, the ministry offered to provide lifeguards "with the requisite capacity and capability to keep our country’s beaches safe for beachgoers and seabathers alike.”

It outlined a number of initiatives already undertaken and plans to be executed in collaboration with other ministries.

It said the procurement process to repair the lifeguard facilities buildings and towers at Mayaro, Toco, Salybia and Quinam had already begun.

Collaborative discussions are also taking place to repair the lifeguard facilities – inclusive of towers – at Vessigny, Maracas, Las Cuevas and Manzanilla. That initiative falls under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

Three jet skis for use at the beaches in Mayaro, Maracas and Las Cuevas have been procured and arrangements are being made for them to be handed over to the LSD.

In collaboration with the LSD, the ministry has launched a series of six videos on beach and water safety to educate the public on how to avoid water hazards.

The water safety education section of the LSD has also co-ordinated training for all lifeguard units in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator. In light of the covid pandemic, training includes modification to the expired air resuscitation assessment and the use of bag valve masks.

Additional covid19 protocol training is also being sought in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.

Responding to another complaint, the ministry said lifeguards have been supplied with personal protective equipment including medical gowns, medical face shields, lifejackets, cloth masks, hand sanitiser, bleach, disinfectant sprays and gloves to promote covid-safe operations.

Repairs to five vehicles, inclusive of an ambulance have been completed while two other vehicles are being repaired with the assistance of the Ministry of Works and Transport

There is a proposed rostering and assignment of lifeguards to ensure adequate coverage at all key beach facilities, especially on the weekends and public holidays.

The ministry also proposes to enhance administrative support for the lifeguard unit by establishing a new regime of visits by personnel for each beach site to ensure lifeguard operations are better monitored and service levels are improved.

Lifeguards are on duty at ten beaches, inclusive of Maracas Bay, Tyrico Bay, Las Cuevas, Salybia, Toco, Mayaro, Manzanilla, Los Iros, Vessigny and Quinam.

Noting that the lifeguards alone cannot guarantee safety, the ministry is advising the public to exercise caution at the beaches, especially where there are no trained lifeguards on duty.