Future uncertain for Volunteer Life Saving Corps in Jacksonville Beach

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leaders within a long-standing volunteer lifeguard program in Jax Beach say the group’s future remains a mystery.

For more than a century, the American Red Cross Volunteer Life Saving Corps (VLSC) has protected the beaches on Sundays and holidays to keep guests safe.

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Tim Saggau is the President of the Board of Directors with VLSC. He said a labor dispute is now threatening how they can serve their community.

“We are a group of people who love nothing better than to volunteer our time at the beach on Sundays and holidays to make sure the bathers are safe,” Saggau said.

Lifeguards employed by the city protect the beaches Mondays through Saturdays. However, there are paid employees who also take the time to volunteer on Sundays and holidays.

The Department of Labor is investigating the relationship between the corps and the city’s paid lifeguards -- a matter of “fair labor.”

Action News Jax also spoke with Jacksonville Beach Mayor Chris Hoffman.

“Findings of the Department of Labor required us to pay back wages to people that were employees of the Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue but that were volunteering their time on Sundays and holidays,” Hoffman said. “So they may have truly been volunteering their time, but that’s just not the way it works with labor law.”

Saggau said the Board has proposed to the city the idea of an all-volunteer force completely separate from the paid lifeguards. The volunteers would guard on Sundays and holidays, as the group has done for more than a century. He said the corps trains individuals as young as 16 years old, where they learn responsibility and mature with one another.

“In this day and age, volunteerism seems to have slipped a bit,” Saggau said. “But we still have 16-year-old-kids that come out here, go through a rigorous training class and they end up being some of the best trained lifeguards in the world. And they grow up here.”

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Supporters of the corps attended the Jacksonville Beach City Council meeting Wednesday evening to share the impact the corps has had on their lives and to express to council members their desire to save the program.

“I was in in the winter of 72,” Saggau said. “My son got in the Corps and retired. Two of my daughters married lifeguards. Two of their brothers were in the Corps. So the Saggau family roots run pretty deep.”

Saggau said he remains optimistic that a positive solution can be worked out.

“I think we have a common goal,” Saggau said. “Keep the volunteers out here. Keep the history going and not have it end.”

Mayor Hoffman shared how she envisions the relationship between the city and VLSC.

“Discussions are ongoing with the two bodies, but it is my sincere hope that the VLSC and the City can continue this relationship, even though it may look different in the future,” Hoffman said. “All organizations need to evolve to best meet the needs of those they serve, and I look forward to seeing what a future partnership may look like.”

Mayor Hoffman said there is currently not a timeline or deadline on when a decision will be made regarding the future of VLSC.

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