- Our History
- Protect and Serve
- Leadership
- Membership
- Education
- Joining the Corps
- Competition Team
- Committees
- Junior Lifeguard Program
Our History
Since 1911/1912 (it’s a little hazy which year the volunteers actually began patrolling Jacksonville Beach) the men and women of the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps have stood watch over Jacksonville’s beaches to protect the lives of residents and visitors who come throughout the year to enjoy our pristine shores and abundant sunshine. For the vast majority of these visitors, their seaside weekends and holidays stir pleasant memories of families and friends together, beach picnics and splashing in the waves under a warm Florida sun. Little attention was likely paid to the sentinels on the beach towers who, for almost a century, have stood the watch to ensure the safety and the survival of those who come to Jacksonville’s shores yet they are owed a debt that can never be fully repaid.
Since the summer of 1912, when a dozen volunteers formed the United States Volunteer Life Saving Corps at what was then called Pablo Beach, Florida, an uninterrupted chain of men and women have stepped forward to wear the distinctive uniform of “The Corps”. In 1914, the seventeen charter members of the Corps became part of the American Red Cross’s national water safety program as the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps, Coast Guard Division #1. Today, their volunteer ranks include more than 120 active members and hundreds of alumni of the Corps who proudly bear the title of Retired Surfman.
Few if any volunteer organizations can point to the documented record of courage, valor and lifesaving service that is the rich heritage of the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps. In its 95 years of service, members of the Corps have recorded 1,430 lifesaving rescues, 1,753 assists to swimmers in distress, and more than 25,000 first aid cases ranging from jellyfish stings to broken limbs. This extraordinary record of selfless service to the community has been accomplished through almost 1,300,000 hours of volunteer service by the 4,000 members and alumni of the Volunteer Life Saving Corps. Today, they continue to build on that tradition as they stand watch over our beaches or as they apply the life skills they learned within the Corps as servant leaders of our community and our nation.
LIFESAVING TIMELINE
1785 Founding of the Massachusetts Humane Society.
1789 Refuge houses built along the Massachusetts coastline for the survivors of shipwrecks.
1807 Establishment of the nation’s first lifeboat station on Cape Cod.
1839 Tragic shipwreck witnessed by Dr. William A. Newell, in which 13 victims attempted unsuccessfully to swim to safety. This event later helped persuade the U.S. government to become involved in lifesaving.
1848 Eight lifeboat stations built and equipped along the New Jersey coast.
1854 Staff hired for each lifeboat station; a superintendent was appointed.
1878 U.S. government bureau of United States Lifesaving Service established.
1890 United Volunteer Lifesaving Corps established, providing rescue services at pools and beaches not staffed with lifeguards.
1908 George Douglas Freeth established first lifeguard training at Redondo Beach, California; received the gold medal from U.S. Lifeguard Service for dramatic rescue.
1910 U.S. Volunteer Lifesaving Corps of New York City hired Commodore Wilbert Longfellow as chief.
1912 National Lifesaving Service organized.
1913 Duke Paoa Kanhanamoku introduced redwood surfboard to Long Beach, California; lifeguards for use as rescue equipment.
1914 Longfellow organized Red Cross Lifesaving Corps.
1915 U.S. Lifesaving Service merged with Revenue Cutter Service, creating the U.S.Coast
Guard.
Protect and Serve
“On the afternoon of Thursday, October 3rd, 1963, while on duty near Third Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach, Police Officer and Retired Surfman Sergeant Gill Lineberry responded to a call by witnesses on the beach that two women were caught in the heavy surf of a treacherous late season runout and were in clear danger of drowning. Retired Surfman Lineberry arrived at the scene, immediately removed his police uniform shirt and shoes, grabbed a surfboard from a nearby surfer and swam swiftly to the two struggling victims. After successfully placing the mother and her seventeen-year-old daughter on the surfboard, Retired Surfman Lineberry guided his charges back towards shore, eventually reaching onlookers who had formed a human chain into the heavy surf and currents to help bring the victims to safety.”
“The rapid response and alert actions of Retired Surfman Lineberry, which resulted in the saving of two human lives, were in keeping with the highest standards of the American Red Cross and reflect great credit upon himself and the Volunteer Life Saving Corps.”
On sundays and holidays, members of the ARC Volunteer Life Saving Corps take responsibility for the guard of the public beach of Jacksonville Beach, just as they have done since 1912. This is strictly a volunteer service that functions as a highly competent and professional force. The members are well trained and disciplined in the most modern techniques of lifesaving as well as in tradition that has placed the organization at the forefront of the service.
Early in the morning the mate and crew begin their duties that last until late in the day. The peg is the first guard posted with the raising of the flags; the American flag in the center, the ARC flag on the right, the crew flag to the left (crew 1 or 2), and most recently, warning flags designating beach conditions fly below the crew flag.
The Corps was the first such volunteer organization and although many others were formed, first by the U.S. Coast Guard and then by the American Red Cross, we are the only remaining volunteer group. The lifeguards’ buoy that is used throughout the world was first developed here by Henry Walters and was called the Walters’ Torpedo Buoy.
Other techniques pioneered by the Corps and in use today are the strict training of recruits, the flag relay system, the rapid response backup and the hourly changing of the guard. The flag on the tower is used to signal the station for assistance. If the guard leaves the tower for any reason, the flag is dropped and the buoy must accompany the guard. In the case of a non-emergency event, the guard may wave the flag to request assistance. Guard towers between the outlying tower and the station relay the flag in like manner. In addition, there are towers with radios that are designated to call in the message.
The Corps is composed of men and women in good standing ranging in ages from 16 to 60+. All of the members must have completed a rigorous training course and examination before becoming part of the body. Upon completion the recruits become recruit surfmen until completing the first season. During that time the surfmen are to look out for the newest members and guide them towards becoming seasoned guards. Many of the members have gone on to join the U.S. Marine Corps and other elite forces, and our paramilitary tradition shares the term Esprit d’ Corps in the same manner.
2011 Corps Officers
Left to right: Ruggiero, Stewart, Cory, Anderson, Lentz, Duffy, Middleton, Davis, Billhardt, Walcutt
CAPTAIN: JAMES LENTZ
LIEUTENANT: TAYLOR ANDERSON
INSTRUCTOR: MATT DUFFY
1ST MATE: JOSH MIDDLETON
2ND MATE: JUDSON CORY
1ST QM: JEFF BILLHARDT
2ND QM: TRAVIS STEWART
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR: COBY DAVIS
1ST REGISTRAR: JOE WALCUTT
2ND REGISTRAR: MONICA RUGGIERO
2011 Corps Board of Directors
President Maurice Rudolph
Vice-President Phil Ghiotto
Treasurer Steve Park
Secretary Ivy Cream Harris
Medical Officer Jeff Goldstein
Executive Director Jack Morgan
Training Officer Brian Miller
2012 Captain Taylor Anderson
BOD Member Rosemary Stearns
BOD Member Corey Wright
BOD Member Kevin Ellington
BOD Member Kris Jolly
BOD Member Mark Messinese
BOD Member Paul McKiniry
BOD Member Sean O’Brien
BOD Member William Beckerleg
BOD Member Susan Wallis
BOD Member Ted Lee
BOD Member Terry Kennedy
BOD Member Wayne Chattaway
BOD Member Neil Powell
Honarary Member Bobby Sale
Membership
Article 1, Section 1, of the ARCVLSC bylaws reads, “To maintain a group of individuals thoroughly trained in life saving and first aid, who are expected to respond promptly in any emergency requiring such service, regardless of time or place.”
The Standard of Membership from the Standard Operating Procedures (aka The Beach Practice Manual), reads, “The careful selection of applicants for membership in the Lifesaving Corps and the strict training and conditioning of old and new members alike must be conscientiously carried out with a view toward perpetuating the organization as a life saving and first aid service. To this end, those who wish to be considered for Corps membership must show sound character, outstanding swimming ability, and an unselfish desire to serve. Since we accept no pay, it is the love of our work and comradeship – esprit d’ corps – that makes membership so highly prized.
As an organization grows in service and community esteem, certain privileges will be granted to its members. Such privileges will be continued only so long as they are earned and the assurance is evident that they will not be abused. If we are to maintain our prestige in the public eye and our commanding position in our field, it is necessary that we restrict our activities to those directly in line with the humanitarian service to which we are dedicated. It is this singleness of purpose on the part of all members that has made us what we are today, and it is only through constant thought to our duties and responsibilities that the Lifesaving Corps may be preserved.”
Character of Membership
Compassion
ARCVLSC members will be understanding and sympathetic to the needs of others. They will have satisfaction in the accomplishments of others and not just themselves.
Dependability
ARCVLSC members words and deeds can be relied upon to meet the highest lifesaving standards and they will always do what they say they will do – your word is your bond.
High Moral Character
ARCVLSC members, both on and off duty, will demonstrate honesty and decency at all times.
Initiative
ARCVLSC members will continually seek new and better ways to save and preserve lives.
Integrity
ARCVLSC members will hold themselves, both individually and collectively, accountable.
Professionalism
ARCVLSC members will continue to achieve the highest standards demanded in order to earn public trust.
Self Improvement
ARCVLSC members strive to be a shining example of the best that the Corps has to offer by making our statements and actions reflect our individual efforts to improve ourselves for the sake of the Corps.
Loyalty
To the Corps; to fellow members; to teamwork; to the heritage of our institution.
Author’s note:
In some ways it is not an exaggeration to say that we are like modern day Knights of the Round Table: We have a code of honor, we have high ideals, and we save lives, occasionally putting our own lives at risk. It has been my great privilege to serve in the Corps for close to a quarter of a century. It has not always been easy or fun, but the Corps has given me far more than I could give back. I have learned and grown and laughed and cried. The Lifesaving Corps is truly a peak experience in life. David Stearns (R), s’64, w’93. February 7, 2011
Education
Since the Corps’ first duty is to prevent accidents, it is necessary that a sound educational program be developed to instruct new recruits and recertify current and past members in the fields of first aid , water safety, and ocean rescue.
Article 1, Section 3, of our bylaws, reads “To teach precautions that should be observed in water and preventative measures necessary to avoid accidents.” Section 4 reads in part “To prevent drowning by: Teaching swimming and lifesaving, Giving instruction in the approved method or methods of performing artificial respiration” [which now would be known as rescue breathing and CPR]. Section 7 reads “To teach members and nonmembers first aid to the injured.”
The lieutenant of the Lifesaving Corps is the chairman of the Education Committee. His work is overseen by a member of the Board of Directors who is appointed for that purpose.
Our current education program includes training of two to three recruit classes per year, recertification of current members, CPR and first aid classes for the public and groups who request such training, a Junior Lifeguard program, public and private lectures on Ocean Safety, Lifeguards Without Borders (who travel out of country to teach), and certification for instructors and instructor trainers in lifeguarding, swimming, first aid, CPR, oxygen administration, and use of AED devices.
Among the more conspicuous of the Corps’ educational activities is the Opening Day exercises (usually the last Sunday in April of each year), the participation in the Opening Day of the Beaches parade, the annual Ocean Marathon, internet website, and the many classes that are taught by the members that add to the constant drive toward dissemination of first aid, water safety, swimming, and ocean rescue knowledge. To these activities must be added the three inter-crew swim meets that are held each year, to which the public is invited to watch us display ocean rescue techniques. Every means should, of course, be used to induce the public to swim in guarded areas, and this theme is well stressed at any meeting with outside groups.
For more information on classes and instruction, call the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Station at (904) 249-9141, or the Northeast Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross at (904) 358-8091.
Joining The Corps
In 1912 a group of young men, outraged by the number of drownings in their community founded what came to be known as the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps (ARCVLSC). Today the ARCVLSC is still completing the original mission set out nearly 100 years ago. Joining the Corps the is one of the greatest challenges a person can undertake. Recruits come from all ages and walks of life, but have one thing in common. They want to help others by joining the ranks of the nation’s oldest and most storied volunteer lifesaving organization.
The training is a rigorous 12 week program which teaches first aid, C.P.R., reading weather conditions, ocean rescue operations, and more. You will gain an intimate knowledge of the ocean, and it will be your job to interact with it daily. Along the way you will gain experience, overcome difficult assignments, and you will build bonds which last a life time. We will train you to think on your feet for the critical decision making you will be required to do. You will be able to handle the busiest days in Jacksonville Beach, under the worst conditions. The ultimate goal of your training: to be able to rescue a person in distress fifty yards beyond the breakers, if this sounds like an awesome job, it’s because it is.
Recruit class is physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. It is based on military boot camp style training. By the end of the class, recruits must be able to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of rescue techniques, be able to complete a 500 meter (550 yards) swim in less then 10 minutes, and complete a mile run in under 8 minutes.
Few other organizations claim such a history of valor and service. Our members have selflessly watched over Jacksonville Beach’s water every Sunday and national holiday since 1912 . While our training may seem unconventional at times, our outstanding beach safety record is a testament to its effectiveness.
We have two to three recruit classes per year: the winter class begins at the end of January, the first summer class begins the first of May, and occasionally we hold a second summer class after July 4th. There is a Recruit Resources tab at the top of our homepage with more information. You may also call the Life Saving station in Jacksonville Beach at (904) 249-9141.
Competition Team
History:
Our team’s history began in 1990. In 1993, we started to attend USLA sanctioned events. These competitions include events such as Paddleboard, Surf Ski, Surf Swim, Ironman, Beach Flags, 4×100 Run Relay and many more. In 1994, one of our members entered a national event for the first time. The South Atlantic is our local Region. In fact, the regional competition will be held right here at our own historic station! We have been attending the USLA National Championships since 1994. These events have allowed us to travel to places such as San Diego, Huntington Beach, Chicago, Cape May and Miami. In 2000 a small group of team members, all retired members of the Corps, went to the International Life Saving Federation’s Worlds Life Saving competition in Sydney, Australia. This tournament opened our eyes that lifesaving is not something limited to the United Sates. It is an international sport that promotes safety and community service throughout the year. It is a way of life. We have since attended this world life saving event in 2002 and 2006. We plan to attend the Worlds event again in November 2012.
We have won many individual and team events at the regional, national, and world event. As a team, we have won our own local tournament, the Jax Beach Challenge, the South Atlantic Regionals, and other events. Our highlights would be that we have finished as high as 8th at the USLA’s national event and have several national and world title holders.
Of the eight active women in the Corps, five have been or are currently on the team. Retired-men that have been on the team are some of the most successful that this organization has; nurses, doctors, dentists, secret service officers, military officers, lawyers and even the Board of Directors President is a past member of the team.
Current Team:
The team has a new concept that was introduced after Nationals in August 2010.
Many of the Retired members and past members of the team decided to structure the team so that it can build on itself and grow. The team is now coordinated by Senior Mentors and Mentors who guide, train, and help the younger members of the team. Therefore no one person has the burden to lead the team or make decisions. This also ensures that when a key member leaves the team, there is a structure in place and the team does not have to rebuild.
Team Members:
Jeff Billhardt
Joey Civello
Coby Davis
Rob Emahiser
Ross Ghiotto
Richard Ghiotto
Ben Hedstrom
Bryon Iveson
David Jones
Mike Lerian
Geoff Lutz
David Malinovskiy
Art Naidzich
Barrett Phifer
Eli Phillips
Allison Shemenski
Kaitlyn Shemenski
Tom Stowe
Joseph Walcutt
Kaitlyn Whited
Nick Wellington
Thom Wright
Upcoming Events:
Palm Beach County, FL Ocean Lifeguard Competition May 18, 2011
Boca Raton, FL Ocean Lifeguard Competition June 24, 2011
Jacksonville Beach,FL Lifeguard Challenge June 30, 2011
South Atlantic Regional Lifeguard Championships (Myrtle Beach, SC) July 13,14, 2011
National Lifeguard Championships (Cape May, NJ) August 4-6, 2011
HammerHead Ocean Marathon (Jacksonville Beach,FL), August 13, 2011
Team Contributions to the Organization:
Each time we travel to these places for competitions we are able to learn how other agencies protect their beach and we are able to bring that knowledge back to our beach here in Jacksonville and help our organization grow. It is our intention that these trips are opportunities to learn and help us make contributions to the city, the Corps, and our community so that we may protect and serve them better. Now we are focused on using our unique skills to help create an improved workplace and develop leaders in the Corp, Beach Patrol, and the Community. The Competition Team helps with recruitment & retention, grooming leaders for the future, offers advanced training to members, improves public relations and funding opportunities, and among many other things upholds the organization’s values, vision, and mission.
Committees
In addition to the staff and board of directors, the ARCVLSC has committees for various corps related functions. Each committee has a chairman and members, usually approved by the staff.
Current committees and chairmen are as follows:
Website: David Stearns
Annual: Demien Harris
International: Matt Duffy
Social: Mike Schindler
Banquet: Monika Ruggiero
100 year Banquet: Katie Ghiotto
Training: Geoff Lutz, Rob Emahiser
Education: Taylor Anderson, Brian Miller
Archives: George Hapsis
Public Relations: Jeff Billhardt
Junior Lifeguard Program: George Paugh
Junior Lifeguard Program
The Junior Lifeguard Program is a series of one week camps for young people ages 9 through 15, held in the summer, and is co sponsored by the City of Jacksonville Beach and the American Red Cross Volunteer Lifesaving Corps. Participants learn beach safety, lifesaving skills, first aid and CPR, as well as team work and the value of volunteering. Campers also get to boogie board, body surf, participate in lifeguard competition events, and play games. For more information please go to this link: Junior Lifeguard Camp.
