Our Work
Water Rescue Stations through community outreach & advocacy
Miami:
In 2020 I approached Commissioner Joe Martinez with the initiative to implement Water Rescue Stations within Miami-Dade County Owned Properties and in May 2021 Legislation was passed by the Board of Commissioners in favor of placement of these life-saving stations. The first of many stations to be placed was installed in the Miami-Dade Fire Department Headquarters in Doral (Shown above). I have personally met with both Miami Beach’s Lifeguarding and Fire Departments regarding the placement of these stations along the shoreline and waterfront recreational parks along with the City of Miami.
Chicago:
Since 2018, I have been in contact with Chicago Park District along with 11 Aldermen who’s wards line Lake Michigan. Chicago’s 26 mile shoreline is peppered with walkways/bikepaths, piers, harbors, and beaches. These walkways regularly become soaked with water from waves regularly crashing over them. No measures have been placed to make these areas safer, rather the City has decided to create a 40 million dollar bridge to invite patrons to the area. Slipping and falling into the water or loosing control of a recreational vehicle is a common occurence and many times becomes fatal for the victim. After garnering aldermanic support and attending various public meetings, Parks District has made the concious decision to refuse the installation of these life saving water rescue stations.
Click here to view: CPD meeting 4/14/21
Click here to view: CPD meeting 5/12/21
Click here to view: CPD meeting 6/9/21
Upon resistance for years from Chicago Parks District, finally in 2021, the district agreed to install 107 water rescue stations on all designated swimming beaches.
In 2022, Governor Pritzker signed into law the Water Safety Equipment Act making water rescue stations available throughout Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline.
School educational campaign
Water Safety should be made a priority for all students attending both Public and Private Schools. The focus is to teach Middle school and High school students how to properly throw a rescue device to a victim or to locate an object within their immediate surrounding to reach out to a victim, but to never enter the water themselves. In April 2021, I attended a Miami-Dade Public School Meeting (Click here to view) to address the board regarding the implementations of a physical component to the already existent Water Safety Curriculum in place. The Board members have embraced this idea and it will be put into effect for all Middle and High school students in the upcoming school year.
Donations:
In 2022 several water rescue donations have been made to several Miami Dade and Monroe counties in Florida. 2 stations have been donated to Virginia Key Beac, a historic African American. beach in Miami Dade county where we tragically lost Cristian Burgos a 17 year old hero, who lost his life after saving a woman and her child. This donation was made in Cristian's name.
Additionally, 2 water rescue stations were donated to Bahía Honda State Park in Big Pine Key, FL.
We plan to continue donating water rescuestations and begin to donate swimming scholarships to children and adults, alike.
Lifeguarding
Miami:
Ocean rescue currently guards 26 locations along Miami Beach. Lifeguarding hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 365 days a year. Within the past few years newly built residences have been created in areas previously uninhabited this has created additional foot traffic which makes the risk of drowning a concern being that lifeguard towers were not needed in these areas until now. I have personally met with Chief Fernandez and Chief Canosa regarding these concerns and additional lifeguarding towers are being considered on 55th street and 62nd street.
Chicago:
Currently Chicago Parks district supervises the lifeguarding department. Lifeguarding is available at the 105 beaches sharing a shoreline with Lake Michigan. Lifeguarding season is 93 days out of a 365 day year. Lifeguarding season runs between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Operating hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Gradually lifeguarding hours have been cut leaving beaches unprotected. This matter has been brought to the Parks District's attention yet no action has been taken by this governing body to protect Chicago residents and tourist by reinstating lifeguarding hours.