Los Angeles County Lifeguard Projects Recognized by Quality and Productivity Commission

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Two of Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division's projects have been recognized by the Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Commission for their innovative efforts in effecting cost benefits and improved service to their communities. Our "Summer of Color" Lifeguard Tower Project with the Department of Beaches and Harbors received a County Image Enhancement Award for its combination of humanitarian aspects and cost savings.

"Summer of Color," one of the largest public art projects in the United States, involved all 156 Lifeguard towers on 21 beaches across 31 miles being covered in specially designed panels painted by children hospitalized or recovering from physical or emotional trauma through Portraits of Hope. The youth involved in this unique project benefitted from this form of creative and healing therapy, and were instilled with a sense of pride and achievement from their participation.

This project also provided the Lifeguard towers with much-needed paint protection from the elements, since they had not been painted since their original deployment in 2002 due to funding shortfalls.

The towers were painted in May of this year and will display their artwork through September, after which the panels will be dismantled and shipped to Haiti to beautify the interior and exterior of transitional homes, temporary shelters, schools, hospitals, and senior centers.  The towers will then be repainted in the original "Holland Blue" with donated paint.

The Quality and Productivity Commission also awarded the Division's Heartcode On-Line Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Program with a Certificate of Recognition. This ACLS Training Center within Lifeguards allows Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics to take the didactic portion of the training online and at their own pace, and receive automatic evaluations of their skills in less time. By eliminating the cost of holding classroom-based instruction and testing, this program will provide the Department with an annual savings of over $236,000.  The Commission will formally present the Department with these prestigious awards at their Productivity and Quality Awards Ceremony on October 20.

Photo By Douglas Morrison Courtesy of Los Angeles County Fire Department:  Beachgoers have commented that the brightly painted Towers are more easily identifiable.

Republished with the permission of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 


Author:Los Angeles County Fire Department