Are you safe at the beach? WRAL Investigates first responder staffing challenges at the Carolina coast
Over the past 20 years, rip currents have been the number one weather-related killer in the Carolinas, according to the National Weather Service.
Emergency responders play a key role in not only rescuing troubled swimmers, but reviving them if necessary. The question though: Are coastal EMS units facing the same staffing shortages WRAL Investigates has covered for months around the Triangle?
On Thursday, there were 17 rip current-related rescues at Carolina Beach.
North Carolina has 300 miles of beaches that attract about 12 million visitors a year.
However, just 17 beaches in our state have lifeguards on duty during prime swimming hours in popular summer months. WRAL Investigates found only four of those 17 are Advanced Lifeguard Agencies according to the United States Lifesaving Association.
That certification requires lifeguards to have some level of Emergency Medical Technician training. With lifeguards only sprinkled up and down our coast, WRAL Investigates polled dozens of fire stations and EMS units at the beach about their staffing and hiring challenges, just as tourists flock to the beach.
"There’s a lot of competition," Sunset Beach Fire Chief Richard Childres told us about the hiring challenges for his department.
For now, he’s getting creative to cover for three full-time job openings in his department of just 21 people. "Right now it’s currently at a high point. but we’re doing all we can to fill those spots," he said.
The town council recently bumped up starting pay to more than $42,000 to help attract applicants. The chief says part-timers and overtime help cover the open shifts for now.
Unlike many other beaches, Sunset Beach has another safety tool in its arsenal. The town uses off duty first responders from nearby departments to run a two-person beach patrol in the busiest months.
"I like to think of them as an extension of the fire department but they’re on the beach," Childres said about the patrol. "They might not be where that emergency is taking place but they can be there in a matter of two or three minutes."
"We’ve been in the right place at the right time a few times recently," beach patrol member Steve Kahn said.
With no lifeguards at Sunset Beach, Kahn says you always have to be on your toes, especially near the busy pier area.
"It could be quiet for a very long time and then we get a call two kids need water rescue, or there’s a cardiac arrest. So, you do have to act pretty quick," he said.
During an hour or so WRAL Investigates spent at the beach, patrol members helped two swimmers. WRAL Investigates also ran into John Sopko, a tourist from Ohio. The day before, he says the beach patrol helped him.
"I’m pretty sure my heel fell into a hole, felt a nice snap in the back of my leg," Sopko said. "[I] tried to put some pressure on it, fell into the water."
Sopko ended up tearing his Achilles tendon. The beach patrol was right there, according to Sopko.
"[I am] extremely grateful they helped us. They took care of us extremely well," Sopko said. "They were very friendly the whole time. I don’t think we would have known what to do without them, truthfully."
From the Outer Banks to the Crystal Coast to the southern beaches, WRAL Investigates sent staffing questions to more than 40 emergency agencies. In general, small town departments like Kill Devil Hills, Atlantic Beach, Carolina Beach and Wrightsville are fully staffed.
However, many counties that provide needed support are struggling. Dare County EMS has 19 vacancies. Hyde County is down five first responders and the administration recently quit over low pay for employees.
Former Hyde County EMS Director David White had an ominous prediction for the summer, saying, "We currently have no applications to fill these vacancies, and 100s of open shifts we can’t fill in the next two and half months."
Childres says beachgoers can do their part to stay safe while departments up and down the coast struggle to fill openings.
"The number one advice I give to all citizens is watch the flags," Childres said. "Please don’t swim on a red day."
Childres is talking about the flag system to warn swimmers about dangerous conditions. It works just like a stoplight. Green means swimming conditions are calm, yellow means use caution and red means dangerous surf conditions.
WRAL Investigates found the flag system is in place at most beaches from the Wilmington area up to the Outer Banks, but there are couple of southern beaches that don’t fly flags. If you’re unsure of conditions on your vacation, you can search online for the National Weather Service’s Surf Zone Forecast.
Childres said if swimmers do their part to stay safe, he’ll do his part to protect the visitors in his town.
"I’ve been here 22 years, so I hold this district very close to my heart," Childres said.
That includes doing all he can to get his department up to full staff.
"We just have to advertise well, pay well, and we will fill those spots," Childres said.
