Manatee County Beach Patrol Receives Statewide Beach Patrol of the Year Award
Manatee County Beach Patrol has been named 2025 Beach Patrol of the Year by the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association (FBPCA).
The recognition -- which was also won by the beach patrol in 2017 -- was formally presented during the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on January 27, honoring the division’s exceptional performance, professionalism, and commitment to public safety.
The FBPCA is a statewide organization representing beach patrol agencies across Florida and promoting excellence in lifesaving training, operations, and beach safety.
Throughout 2025, Manatee County Beach Patrol consistently demonstrated lifesaving excellence on and off the water. The team assisted with locating and reuniting more than 200 missing persons with their families or loved ones. Most of those cases involved children.
Beach Patrol also conducted more than 300 water rescues and responded to approximately 1,400 medical incidents. Of those responses, more than 350 were advanced life-support calls, including cardiac arrests.
In the previous year, during Hurricanes Debby, Helen, and Milton, Manatee County Beach Patrol conducted more than 400 rescues. The team continued rescue operations while also supporting post-storm recovery efforts and assisting residents throughout the county.
“Every time our lifeguards do a water rescue, they put their lives on the line,” said Chet Brown, Division Chief of Beach Patrol and Aquatic Safety. “I am humbled to lead this team and work alongside them every day.”
County leaders praised the division’s training and professionalism.
“It dawned on me exactly what Beach Patrol does,” said Tal Siddique, BOCC Chair. “The advanced life-saving care and certifications they maintain are on par with firefighters and EMS. It’s incredible to have that level of protection on our beaches.”
“This is another facet of how we work very hard on keeping our residents safe,” said Carol Ann Felts, District 1 Commissioner.
Manatee County Beach Patrol operates under the County’s Public Safety Department and serves Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach, and Manatee Public Beach.
For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.