Brick, NJ – Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis and Township officials met Thursday with members of beach associations to discuss the possibility of the Township providing certified lifeguards to their beaches.  The associations would reimburse the costs to the Township.

“The State has established staffing requirements for any bathing area.  Meeting these requirements can pose difficulties for some of our beach associations,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “We have worked hard to come up with a solution that will help them come into compliance with State law.  We presented the plan to residents and the reaction was positive.”

The New Jersey Bathing Code (N. J. S. A, 8:26) requires that all open water beaches (public and private) have lifeguard training programs approved by the United States Lifesaving Association.  They also must comply with USLA standards.  Among these standards are having certain types of equipment including torps and lines, AED’s,  and oxygen tanks as well as staff minimums, break times and others.

Under the administration’s plan, the Township would provide the certified lifeguards to beach associations to meet State requirements.  The Township would train the lifeguards and provide all equipment.  The Township would be reimbursed for the costs by the association.

“This plan makes sense for the Township and the beach associations,” said Mayor Acropolis.  “The associations would have access to our lifeguard staff, which is second to none and it will not have an impact on our taxes.  And most importantly, it will make it more safe for residents who use these beaches.”

The associations have until March 15, 2008 to inform the Township about their intentions.

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