Volunteer Lifesaving Corps

For over a century, the Jacksonville Beach Volunteer Life Saving Corps (VLSC) has stood watch over Jacksonville’s beaches, protecting the lives of residents and visitors who enjoy our beautiful shores. Now, it is the VLSC who needs your helping hand to help keep our mission afloat.

A little history: We are an independent 501c3 non-profit organization, established in 1912 as a volunteer service to guard the beaches on Sundays and holidays year-round.

Comprised of men and women, ages 16-to-60, we are recognized internationally for our rescue skills, training standards, athleticism, and performance. The VLSC is not just the oldest, but the ONLY VOLUNTEER LIFESAVING CORPS LEFT IN THE UNITED STATES. During our 110 years of service, our 4,000 members have recorded:

·       1,919 lifesaving rescues

·       2,113 assists to swimmers in distress

·       26,912 first aid cases, from treating jellyfish stings to broken limbs

·       1,606,252 hours of pro-bono service to the City of Jacksonville Beach (COJB), saving taxpayers thousands of dollars in costs, annually

Perhaps even more importantly, the VLSC has long been a source for developing leaders in our community and country. Among past Corps members you will find doctors, nurses, military officers, special forces team members, secret service agents, judges, lawyers, business leaders, and clergy who will readily attribute their success to lessons they learned as volunteer members of the VLSC. In sum, we are a uniquely valuable asset to the COJB.

In December 2021, the Dept of Labor noted an issue with some Jax Beach Ocean Rescue lifeguards being members of the VLSC, resulting in a determination that a lifeguard working for the city on a paid basis Monday-Saturday could not also be used as a volunteer on Sunday and Holidays. As a result, the COJB made a decision to assume full-time responsibility for guarding the beaches, eliminating volunteer guard service in Jax Beach entirely. This effectively sets the stage for the dissolution of our 110-year-old non-profit, and all the benefits we have provided our community all these years.

Employment law experts have advised that, as long as JBOR employees are not VLSC members and each organization conducts its own training, all parties will be compliant with the DOL Wage & Hour laws. This is the only adjustment that needs to be made to continue our 110-year mutually beneficial relationship with the city. Regrettably, amid widespread passionate support for the VLSC, negotiations with the city to resume service have become personal, political, and have stalled. We are now having to explore legal solutions to ensure enforcement of our 10-year agreement to provide service for the city and to continue to use our historic lifesaving station from which we have maintained our volunteer lifesaving mission since 1912.

This, of course is a significant financial burden for a non-profit that relies exclusively on donated time and resources to operate at all times. But the need and urgency have never been greater than right now. Your donation will help ensure the continuation our organization _ one that saves lives, saves taxpayers thousands of dollars annually, promotes strong character, and participates non-stop, year-round in Community Outreach, International Lifesaving Instruction/Education, and numerous other philanthropic activities. 

 
Thank you for your donation and continuing a true legacy of lifesaving, and love for our community. Esprit De Corps!" Please also join our official communities on Facebook and Instagram (@VLSCLIfeguards)  for the latest news and information.