FIRST IN NATION: To Launch Water Rescue Squad, Certified lifeguards to volunteer for after-hours emergencies in the water

By Joanne Pilgrim

This summer, when the lifeguards have packed up their equipment and left the stands for the day, a volunteer ocean rescue squad will be on call to help anyone whose after-hours swim turns hazardous. It is believed to be the first program of its kind in the nation.

The East Hampton Town and Village Emergency Service Departments have been working to establish the program since October, when four young girls and a number of would-be rescuers were caught in a strong undercurrent off the village's Main Beach. Representatives of the Town and Village Police Departments, Town Marine Patrol, the East Hampton Dory Rescue Squad, the fire departments, and the town's lifeguard trainers have taken part in the planning. Since the incident occurred after the season, the beach was unprotected, and no rescue equipment was at hand. Although all turned out well, the rescue was "unorganized," said East Hampton Village Police Chief Gerard Larsen.

Together, the town and village boast approximately 50 miles of bay and ocean beaches. Only 12 beaches will have lifeguard protection this summer and that protection usually is limited in hours and duration. Lifeguards are on duty only on weekends from Memorial Day until late June, when the schedule becomes daily. Their hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lifeguards will be on daily duty now until Sept. 14.

A roster of 48 volunteers has been assembled and 54 others have been identified as potential members of the squad. Seventeen lifeguards are authorized to participate in rescues immediately; the others will have to renew their certification by passing a test to be given in August.

Until then, they will be able to respond to emergencies but will be limited to assistance from the beach.

Lt. Kevin Sarlo of the Town Police Department has developed criteria for acceptance into the volunteer squad and bylaws to govern membership. Members must be ocean-certified lifeguards at least 18 years old and trained in first aid. They will be required to take part in ongoing training. The bylaws spell out the chain of command during an emergency, designating the first "rescue swimmer" who arrives as the one in charge.

The squad will work under the Town Division of Public Safety and be supervised by an advisory board made up of town and village police and marine patrol and emergency management personnel. The volunteers will have pagers, so they can be called by the town's emergency service dispatchers, and they will be issued standard lifeguard equipment. The town and village will share the $16,000 equipment and operating budget for the first year.

The team will be important to help cover the beaches in late September when the swimming is still good but lifeguard coverage ends, said John Ryan Sr., who with his son, John Ryan Jr., oversees lifeguard training here. Training programs for youngsters will help ensure future volunteers, Mr. Ryan said.

Other efforts to increase safety recently approved by the town board include the addition of two lifeguard stands for the downtown Montauk ocean beach and an agreement to insure the Dory Rescue Squad's personal watercraft, or Jet Skis. Last year, the town bought several Jet Skis and trained lifeguards in their use to provide faster responses to ocean beach areas that lie outside the protected beaches.

Commenting at an East Hampton Town Board meeting last Thursday, Village Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. called the program a "tremendous step forward" and a "sterling moment."

"It's nice to see town and village government on the same page," he said.