Galveston Beach Patrol seeks volunteers for auxiliary

In this 2015 photo, a member of the Galveston Beach Patrol monitors swimmers from the 10th Street lifeguard tower. In this 2015 photo, a member of the Galveston Beach Patrol monitors swimmers from the 10th Street lifeguard tower. Photo: Alysha Beck, Freelance Photo: Alysha Beck, Freelance Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Galveston Beach Patrol seeks volunteers for auxiliary 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

GALVESTON – The Galveston Beach Patrol is forming an auxiliary known as Beach Watch with volunteers trained to help keep beaches safe and assist the patrol with searches and other duties.

"They will act as a force multiplier for the Beach Patrol, mostly as eyes and ears" who will know what to report when they see it, Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis said.

Volunteers also would help look for lost children and missing swimmers, and would cordon off areas to keep the public away from areas where lifeguards are working during emergencies, Davis said.

Volunteers will take three days of classes that will include Beach Patrol history and operations, the law, rip currents, "Code X" drowning procedures, CPR in the beach environment and tourist ambassador certification.

The first class is scheduled for March 27-30 at Beach Patrol headquarters on Stewart Beach. Davis said volunteers can enroll up until the day before classes begin by emailing Beach Patrol Supervisor Dain Buck at dbuck@galvestonparkboard.org or headquarters at 409-682-3040.

Davis said the first class would be capped at 20 and a new class scheduled if enough volunteers show interest.