User:Jackson5100/sandbox

= Ocean City Beach Patrol (Maryland) = The Ocean City Beach Patrol is an open water life saving organization founded in 1930 in order to protect the growing population of bathers in Ocean City, MD. Originally starting with only a single guard and growing into an organization of over 200 lifeguards and support staff in 2021. The beach patrol is tasked with guarding the 10 miles of beach that make up Ocean City to protect the approximately 8 million summer time visitors every year. The OCBP is also a member of the United States Lifesaving Association which allows them to compete nationally in lifeguarding competitions.

History
Founded in 1930, the Ocean City Beach Patrol was created out of the need for a dedicated lifesaving service as Ocean City became a more popular destination for people from the region.

Notable Alumni

 * Dutch Ruppersburger

Organization
The Ocean City Beach Patrol is divided into different ranks to create a chain of command. The patrol is headed by a Captain who oversees the administrative aspects of the patrol along with his Lieutenants. On the beach there are around 12 sergeants who are divided up evenly by "areas". There are four distinct "areas" starting at the South jetty and are South, Middle South, Middle North and North, which ends at the Delaware state line. Each area is made up of four Crews while the Middle North has five Crews. One of the crews is made up of Surf Beach Facilitators who operate two rotating surf beaches. There are 18 Crews total with each crew being comprised of 7-9 guards, a Crew chief and an Assistant Crew Chief. Lifeguards are officially known as Surf Rescue Technicians, these guards make up the majority of the beach patrol.

Surf Beach Facilitators
Working alongside the Surf Rescue Technicians are Surf Rescue Technicians who are tasked with operating two rotating surf beaches as well as the inlet surf beach during weekdays. These guards can be identified by their yellow stands and equipment. They are trained in CPR and first aid but are not asked to make open water rescues. They assist lifeguards in keeping swimmers out of designated surfing areas

Junior Beach Patrol Program
The Junior Beach Patrol is a chance for kids between the ages of 10-17 to begin understanding what it takes to become a Surf Rescue Technician.

Pre-Employment Physical Exam (PEPSE)
The purpose of the Pre-Employment Physical Exam is to test the lifesaving capabilities of all those trying out.

Surf Rescue Academy
The Surf Rescue Academy is an eight day long training academy run by the Ocean City Beach Patrol for recruits who pass the PEPSE. No certificate are needed to tryout and so all the information is taught during this paid academy training.

Competitions
The Ocean City Beach Patrol is a member of the United States Lifesaving Association and regularly competes in regional and national lifeguarding competitions. The patrol also hosts competitions for its own members including Crew Comps, between the different crews and Area Comps between the four different areas.

There are also commemorative events such as the Captain Craig One mile Swim and the Captain Schoepf Relay in honor of previous captains who served the public with distinction.

Semaphore
The Ocean City Beach Patrol is one of the few lifeguarding organizations that does not issue all their lifeguards hand held radios, instead relying on flag semaphore to communicate messages to the closest radio operator on the beach. With over 200 lifeguards and 92 stands this helps facilitate communications and declutter emergency messages over the radio. All Surf Rescue Technicians are required to be able to send and receive semaphore messages proficiently before being removed from their probationary period.