Shawn Parker - President, LBLGA

The 2010 summer season is here! This summer promises to be an exciting and as always, a challenging experience. I hope everyone is well as we enter into our summer schedules. I have a number of items to cover to get us caught up and prepared for summer 2010.

This year has been a time of transition in the Long Beach Fire Department. Fire Chief Dave Ellis and Marine Safety Chief Paul Wawrzynski retired in December 2009. Alan Patalano has recently been appointed as Fire Chief and the Lifeguard Association congratulates Chief Patalano on his appointment and we look forward to supporting the Chief and his command staff as he takes the helm and navigates the department into the future. The LBLGA has meet with Chief Patalano and he has stated that appointing a new Marine Safety Chief is a top priority and the process to make that appointment will take place soon. In the interim since Chief Wawrzynski’s retirement in December, Captain Louie Martinet and Alan Miki have been filling the role of Lifeguard Chief on a rotating basis providing Marin Safety with outstanding leadership during this transitional period.

As many of you have been affected by the slow economy over the last year, the City of Long Beach once again finds itself challenged with an 18.5 million dollar deficit for fiscal year 2011. The LBLGA continues to work diligently with city management, city council and the Fire Department Command Staff to prevent the loss of positions and more importantly lay-offs. It is extremely important that we as an association remain united and supportive of each other as we work with city management to help develop budget solutions and alternatives while maintaining our service deliveries.

In an effort to provide everyone with important information over this summer season the association has posted updates in your stations and will also e-mail members with current information. The LBLGA website has been completely rebuilt and will be updated with important information, events and dates. All members will also be provided with a calendar for summer 2010. Please review the updates provided and be prepared to ask questions at the scheduled general membership meetings. Much of the information posted will not be covered at the general membership meetings unless there are specific questions. This should help facilitate more timely and productive meetings. Some of the important events this summer include: voting for association board members, voting on bylaws revisions, voting on increasing dues and Hall of Fame award nominations. It is the responsibility of every member to review distributed materials and participate in general membership meetings, without everyone’s participation the LBLGA cannot effectively serve our membership.

Over this last year a number of members gave of their time and energy to help support the LBLGA in its efforts to provide community support to the City of Long Beach during district events and council elections. Without the help of these hard working volunteers the LBLGA would not be affective in our mission of supporting our membership and the community we serve. Please join the Board of Directors in thanking all of our association volunteers for their hard work and dedication!

It is extremely important to continue to provide the highest level of service in the performance of our duties. We must to strive to be our best, with the goal of keeping everyone safe when visiting our beaches and waterways. The community and citizens count on us and we must never become complacent as we guard over them.

The LBLGA Board of directors is honored to serve you and we look forward to a very rewarding 2010 summer season. Be professional in all you do and have fun!

Your brother in lifesaving,

Shawn Parker
President, LBLGA