Long Beach Township Beach Patrol

The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol was founded in 1936 to meet the growing demand for an ocean rescue force in the growing ocean community known as Long Beach Island, specifically Long Beach Township, New Jersey. The organization employs over 200 full and part time staff including lifeguards, office/headquarters staff and other positions relevant to its services. The Long Beach Township Beach Patrol (Also known as "LBTBP") guards 12 miles of ocean beaches and 2 bay beaches and is one of the largest beach patrols in the United States.

Organization

The 12 miles of protected area (including bay beaches) are oveseen by the beach patrol chief and are further divided into patrols. Each patrol has its own captain, lieutenant, and assistant lieutenant. From north to south they are: Loveladies, North Beach, Brant Beach, Beach Haven Crest, Spray Beach, Holgate.

Programs

LBTBP has multiple programs related to its service of providing a safe and enjoyable beach experience.

IRB ProgramThe IRB (Inflatable rigid boat) program consists of LBTBP lifeguards who have been chosen to participate in it. The IRBs are used to patrol along the shore line (just outside the swimming area) to provide backup for rescues, setup for competitions and assist with un-cooperative boaters and personal water craft. IRB candidates must have a good work record, have 2 years of employment by LBTBP and have sufficient knowledge of boats and how to operate them safely under heavy surf conditions.

SCUBA Search and RescueLifeguards who display excellent work ethic can apply to be part of the SCUBA search and rescue team. LBTBP will train and certify guards who are accepted into the program to become open water divers, rescue divers and more. The team provides search and rescue services for LBTBP when dealing with submerged victims. The team also assists in helping setup race and competition courses.

LIT ProgramThe LIT (Lifeguard In Training) program gives children ages 11-15 the chance to learn the rescue techniques used by LBTBP in order to greatly improve their chance of being hired at the age of 16. The program is 100% free and is the most competitive in the country. All applicants must pass a swim test of 150 yards in 3:00 or less to qualify. The program was created specifically to produce highly trained and certified guards for Long Beach Township Beach Patrol. LIT's will learn rescue techniques, procedures and radio codes, CPR and First Aid, and much more.

Beachwheels ProgamThe Beachwheels program was created in 1992 to allow mentally and physically handicapped children and adults the opportunity to experience the beach just as anyone else would. The buggies are made of high strength PVC pipe and over sized rubber wheels made for the easy operation in the sand. and has grown to one of the largest in the country. They can be reserved by calling the beach patrol headquarters at [phone]. You must have personal information ready to secure your chair (Name, Address, Phone, US GVT Issued ID). You may not reserve a chair if you are staying at a hotel/motel for security purposes (unless arrangements are made).

Beach Badges

All beach patrons age 12 to 64 must have beach badges in order to enjoy Long Beach Township beaches. Seasonal badges can be purchased at the beach badge sales office outside the township building for 35.00. LBTBP also offers weekly (20.00 ea) and daily (5.00 ea) badges that can be purchased from beach badge checkers that patrol the beaches. If you don't have beach badges, you will have to purchase the badges on the beach when a beach badge checker visits your chair. Also, don't try and wiggle your way out of buying badges. Refusal to buy beach badges could result in you being kicked off the beach or being fined/arrested for disorderly conduct and refusal to buy beach badges. All profits from beach badges go towards the daily cleaning and grooming of the beaches with tractors and the funds needed to maintain the highly trained, equipped and qualified Beach Patrol. Each of these directly benefits you as a beach patron.