The Brief
- Manatee County Beach Patrol has launched a new high-water rescue vehicle to pull residents from flood zones.
- Lifeguards completed specialized training with local fire districts to secure certifications for swift-water operations.
- The rescue asset cost approximately $236,000 and was funded through a combination of impact fees and grants.
BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. – The Manatee County Beach Patrol has deployed a specialized high-water rescue vehicle to assist local emergency response efforts during severe flooding events. This asset positions the county’s lifeguards as some of the first lifeguard agencies in Florida certified to perform high-water and swiftwater rescues.
Manatee County high-water rescue vehicle
The backstory:
Manatee County saw the necessity for its own high-water rescue vehicle even before the 2024 hurricane season. It has been less than two years since rising floodwaters trapped residents inside their homes, stretching from coastal beaches to inland neighborhoods.
The newly acquired rescue vehicle will be operated by the men and women of the county’s beach patrol to navigate these hazardous conditions.
What they’re saying:…