Baldwin fire departments unite for county wide beach safety campaign

Baldwin fire departments unite for county wide beach safety campaign

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), Gulf Shores Fire Department, Orange Beach Fire Department, Fort Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency, Baldwin County Commission and Baldwin County 9-1-1 have united behind a county-wide beach safety campaign, coined BEach SAFE: Know Before You Go.
Championed by both the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach fire chiefs, BEach SAFE aims to create awareness among locals and guests on topics including beach conditions, warning flag systems, rip current awareness, safe swimming practices and more. Recognizing that not all beach areas on Alabama’s Gulf Coast have lifeguards, beach flags and patrols, BEach SAFE is designed to help individuals to stay informed and understand potential dangers. Core message points for the campaign include checking surf condititions daily, knowing your limitations, learning how to escape a rip current and swimming near lifeguards.
“We’ve continued to work on our messaging related to beach safety,” said Orange Beach Fire Chief Mike Kimmerling. “But we are so blessed to have the support of all of these involved parties (across the county).”
“We’ve got to look at all things that are a threat to all of us,” said Gulf Shores Fire Chief Mark Sealy. “Creating awareness about this program can save lives each and every day.”