Kincardine puts plans for beach patrols on hold for now

Kincardine recreation staff needs clarification on how to implement beach patrols before forging ahead with them this summer.
 

That's the word from recreation director Karen Kieffer as she presented the Royal Lifesaving Society's aquatic safety audit report in committee-of-the-whole Wednesday night (March 2).
 

Initially, Kieffer's report to council was to implement the safety audit's recommendations over the next two summers, at a cost of about $32,500 for the 2016 swimming season. Her report also suggested council establish a sub-committee of staff and Marina/Station Beach users to discuss who requires access to the north and south piers and how to limit access for safety purposes.
 

The safety audit of Station Beach and the north and south piers contains the following primary recommendations:

 

• Institute "patrol supervision" staffing on Station Beach - a minimum "patrol supervision" during the swimming season; the patrol would be at least 16 years of age, hold at least the Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion award or higher, have training in waterfront patrolling and emergency procedures relevant to Station Beach, and be equipped to permit a response to situations. There would be a head patrol member on duty at all times, and at a minimum, a second patrol member. Cost would be $25,000.

 

• Designate the beach area adjacent to the south and north piers as a non-swimming area - Due to the presence of strong rip currents, this area is extremely dangerous for swimming, especially when winds and waves are high. A "no swimming" zone should be designated that extends at least 250 metres south of the south pier and north of the north pier. The area should be signed using pictogram signage: “No Swimming” and “Warning – Strong Currents.” Cost would be $3,000.

 

• Designate a safe swimming area - The swimming area intended for use by patrons should be clearly designated through signs, beach flags and buoy markers. The distance between buoy markers should be no more than 100 metres. These markers should be no more than 150 metres from shore. The north boundary of this designated area should be located at least 250 metres from the south pier. In addition, beach flags should be installed on the beach at the north and south boundaries of the swimming area. These flags would be installed and removed daily by the patrol staff. Cost would be $2,000.

 

• Install at least one lifesaving station on each pier - There is a need for these stations to be installed to ensure the public has access to rescue equipment to assist with an in-water emergency. Equipment should include a buoyant throwing aid attached to a six-millimetre line at least eight metres in length; and a reaching pole at least 3.65 metres in length. Stations should be installed at the midpoint from shore to the end of the pier. Signage should be installed at each station, indicating the purpose of the equipment and warnings relating to misuse. Cost would be $2,500.

 

• Create written policy and procedures for beach patrol operations - To ensure staff is aware of policies and procedures for the safe operation of the beach, a policy and procedure manual should be created. Staff with responsibilities at this site should review this manual and be familiar with its procedures.

 

The six secondary recommendations are designed to enhance the safe use of the aquatic facility, said Kieffer. Action on these recommendations could proceed within the facility's ongoing operations.

 

These recommendations include: new safety signage; regular inspections of Station Beach; a public education campaign; emergency procedures for the beach patrol and marina staff when dealing with waterfront and beach emergencies; enhancement of exit points along the pier; and updates to the current Blue Flag signage.

 

Kieffer told council that since her report was included in the meeting agenda package, new information has been received from Michael Shane of the Lifesaving Society, author of the safety audit.

 

She said the Lifesaving Society does not expect the municipality to implement all the recommendations in 2016, but instead, they should be implemented in a reasonable time frame that works with staffing levels and financial resources.

 

“It is important that we have the proper policies, procedures and protocols in place for our staff to effectively carry out the recommendations prior to rolling them out,” said Kieffer. “Michael Shane has expressed a willingness to come to Kincardine and sit down and talk with us further about the recommendations contained in the report and how they can be implemented and phased in over time.”

 

Her suggestion to council was to proceed with all the primary recommendations that deal with equipment and signage for the 2016 swimming season. However, more detail is required so that staff fully understands the personnel dimension, particularly the role and purpose of the patroller as compared to a lifeguard.

 

Kieffer said the first primary recommendation, regarding patrollers, would be put on hold until after further discussion with Shane. The remaining recommendations could be implemented in 2016.

 

Councillor Randy Roppel reminded council that the municipality has more than one beach.

 

“The beach at Inverhuron should be included when drawing up your policies, procedures and protocols,” he said. “We should sit down with the people of Inverhuron beach – they have valuable input. We must do our due diligence; we must do all we can to avert disaster, because the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of the Municipality of Kincardine. We can't do nothing.”

 

“Will council get to sit down with the Lifesaving Society regarding patrollers?” asked deputy mayor Jacqueline Faubert.

 

“Mr. Shane is open to having council at these discussions,” said Kieffer.

 

“Is there any lifesaving equipment on the pier now?” asked Faubert.

 

“We have put equipment there but it never stays there for very long,” said Kieffer.

 

“What does it mean to have exit points along the pier?” asked Faubert.

 

“Regardless of the signage, there will always be swimmers along the pier,” said councillor Andrew White, policy chairman for recreation. “We have to ensure they can get out.”

 

“Have we ever had a designated swimming area?” asked mayor Anne Eadie.

 

Kieffer said there is an area designated a “No Wake Zone,” meaning boats and sea-doos are not allowed there, to protect swimmers. However, it is not patrolled.

 

Councillor Laura Haight emphasized that beach patrollers are not the same as lifeguards, and will not run into the lake to do water rescue.

 

“We need to look at this methodically and carefully,” she said. “A beach patrol last summer would not have saved Lucas Johnson's life. Wasaga Beach has patrols and the cost is $150,000 annually. And the head patroller job is not an easy one to fill. The cost for lifeguards would be $500,000.”

 

Haight recommended staff bring back a plan for implementation of the safety audit after discussions with Shane of the Lifesaving Society; and move ahead with signage, equipment and safety stations as outlined in the report, for this year's swimming season.

 

Committee-of-the-whole agreed. That recommendation will go to council for final approval March 16.