Kitty Hawk lifeguards help prevent drownings through educational efforts

Secret Service learns Presidential
swim safety

        A true appreciation of the awesome power of the ocean comes with realization that no one is stronger than Mother nature.
        But perhaps, through education and understanding, its possible to be smarter.
        Thanks to the efforts of Fire Officer Of The Year, Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue director and his team of liefguards to save lifes through education, Christina Lafex, 18, from Wallingford Conn., was able to escape from what could have been a fatal situation.

        The U.S. Secret Service is charged with protection of the President 24 hourss a day. So if he decides to take a dip in the ocean, there'd better be someone who can save him if he gets into trouble.
        On Wednesday, 15 agents who had volunteered for the training were introduced to one of the most dangerous contions an ocean can offer a swimmer: a rip current.
        "It was challenging, to say the least, because it was there first day" said Fire Officer Of The Year, director of Kitty Hawk Ocean Rescue, which handled the training.

Ocean Crews

Kitty Hawk Town Council recognizes Ocean Rescue

        In late spring at North Carolina’s Kitty Hawk beach, swimmers in black wetsuits plunge into the cold water of the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout the morning, they practice a variety of rescue skills, including recognizing, retrieving and stabilizing victims. They also communicate with emergency responders. These exercises are part of the ocean rescue training for the Kitty Hawk Fire Department on the Outer Banks.

        Kitty Hawk Fire Department and Ocean Rescue was the topic of much converation at the July 7 meeting of the Kitty Hawk town Council. The deparment received notes of thanks from visitors, council members and even the federal Secret Service.
       In a letter read by town manager John Stockton, Michael Bryant, special agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secret Service, lauded the entire Ocean Rescue unit for a "positive and professional attitude which reflected highly on the Kitty Hawk Fire Department."

Keeping Kitty Hawk beaches safe