Budget cuts deactivate Ocean Shores rescue team
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OCEAN SHORES, Wash. -- A water rescue team that saves lives is about to go under. The mayor of Ocean Shores is deactivating the surf rescue team in a budget cut.
But one girl who was rescued by the team hopes they can be spared.
"I was just going for a swim and I went out too deep and I got caught by the riptide," said Lizzie Dambacher.
Dambacher was with her family near the jetty last summer when the lure of the water nearly killed her.
"The second I couldn't touch the ground, my first thoughts were 'I'm screwed,' because I knew I was in trouble," she said.
The riptide and heavy waves kept pulling her further from shore.
"I purposefully watched out for the waves so when they came over I would hold my breath and not suck in the water," she said.
Officer Chris Iversen of the Surf Rescue Team saw she was in trouble, and as she managed to get close to shore, helped pull her out.
But the mayor of Ocean Shores just announced the surf rescue team is being deactivated -- the $50,000 yearly cost in overtime and hazard pay is too much in a tight budget year.
The Dambacher's are dumbfounded
"I was really shocked, because that's crucial, absolutely crucial to have a team like that in place," said Linda Dambacher, Lizzie's mother. "Those men and women are trained to do that job."
The team has a long history of saving lives, and it's dangerous work. Two team members have lost their lives in the surf, Capt. Rob McLaughlin and Lt. Jim Davis. Visitors to the beach now worry even more about its safety.
"Sure they might not save a guy every day or every couple of months," said Dave Jones. "But the one they do save or a group of them if they're out here is well worth it."
But should new money be found, there's a chance that the team could be put back into operation.
The police and firefighters on the team keep their jobs, just no more going into the water -- they'll have to wait for the Coast Guard.
There are suggestions that the county and state should help pay since the beach is a regional attraction.
But one girl who was rescued by the team hopes they can be spared.
"I was just going for a swim and I went out too deep and I got caught by the riptide," said Lizzie Dambacher.
Dambacher was with her family near the jetty last summer when the lure of the water nearly killed her.
"The second I couldn't touch the ground, my first thoughts were 'I'm screwed,' because I knew I was in trouble," she said.
The riptide and heavy waves kept pulling her further from shore.
"I purposefully watched out for the waves so when they came over I would hold my breath and not suck in the water," she said.
Officer Chris Iversen of the Surf Rescue Team saw she was in trouble, and as she managed to get close to shore, helped pull her out.
But the mayor of Ocean Shores just announced the surf rescue team is being deactivated -- the $50,000 yearly cost in overtime and hazard pay is too much in a tight budget year.
The Dambacher's are dumbfounded
"I was really shocked, because that's crucial, absolutely crucial to have a team like that in place," said Linda Dambacher, Lizzie's mother. "Those men and women are trained to do that job."
The team has a long history of saving lives, and it's dangerous work. Two team members have lost their lives in the surf, Capt. Rob McLaughlin and Lt. Jim Davis. Visitors to the beach now worry even more about its safety.
"Sure they might not save a guy every day or every couple of months," said Dave Jones. "But the one they do save or a group of them if they're out here is well worth it."
But should new money be found, there's a chance that the team could be put back into operation.
The police and firefighters on the team keep their jobs, just no more going into the water -- they'll have to wait for the Coast Guard.
There are suggestions that the county and state should help pay since the beach is a regional attraction.
http://kxro.wordpress.com/2013/02/14/ocean-shores-deactivates-surf-rescue-team/Â A more local take on the situation... with accurate information
Folks will have to start using their brains when out playing in the surf - no longer can they depend upon someone saving them from their stupidity.
But isn't one person's life worth more than $50,000? Â I am pretty sure it is. Â Otherwise why would we have multi million dollar wrongful death and disability suits won?
@somegoofyguy who you going to sue? Mother Nature for being stupid and swiming in a riptide?
So how offten is this team used? once twice if that per year? I go out to the ocean beaches every week I have yet to see a patrol on the beach. People need to take personal responcablity for their own safety. Do not go swiming at the ocean there is a nasty rip curent. the coast Guard is there and can have a faster responce time then a volunteer fire deptment can.
@Exiled_Patriot The coast guard is not "there", their response time is about 45 minutes. They are available for "recovery". The surf rescue team responds in as little as 5 minutes while the rest of the team brings in the Sea-doo's, the police on patrol have equipment in their cars to begin a rescue - it is not just the Fire Dept who responds... oh,, and they are not volunteer, either. Get your facts straight!
@Hightide @Exiled_Patriot I live near there. i go the beach all the time I have yet to see a patrol car truck or any LEO drive the beach any were from the jetty to Oyhut. People need to use common sense. Rip tides are there you don't go out period. and yes they have a small paid staff the rest are volunteers. How do i know I used to live there and volunteer with fire deptment.
@Hightide @Exiled_Patriot Oh you really taught me there Mr. grammer Nazi.
@Exiled_Patriot You live "near" there. Their patrol is not in your jurisdiction unless it is within city limits.  Doesn't matter if they patrol the actual beach when you are there, they are minutes from responding. They can't be everywhere at one time. And I am not sure where you get the "small paid staff" from and mostly volunteers. The police Dept has NO volunteers and the vast majority of fire/emt are PAID. How do I know? I actually live here. You have no idea what you are talking about. People need to use common sense, but things happen. You're not paying our taxes here, what do you care? It's not going to affect you since you obviously have enough common sense to stay out of the water. Find a new hobby, like learning how to spell "responsibility", "swimming", "response" - and proper useage of a comma.
I love hearing every day about things we cant have anymore because of budget overruns. And the Government wonders why it's citizens are loosing faith in their Government and its in abilities to handle our financial security.Â