“Our philosophy in L.A. County is to be proactive and prevent rescues before they happen. Mitigating hazardous conditions is the prime reason for our amazing safety record. Our Ford fleet of Escape Hybrids is an integral part of our entire lifeguard operation – we're saving lives and the environment,” Mike Frazier, Chief Lifeguard, Los Angeles County Fire Department.
On the 72 miles of coastline, the Los Angeles County lifeguards have to supervise the millions of people who visit the beaches every year, as immediate rescue actions are imposed in order to save the lives of those in danger.
The lifeguards and the L.A. County officials said the Escape Hybrid plays a key role in the rescue activities, while it also releases fewer emissions into the atmosphere during a three-hour drive “than grilling one hamburger in your backyard,” said Dusty Crane, Chief of Community and Marketing Services Division at the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
{img2 align-left}The Escape Hybrids are specially equipped to efficiently stow and protect the rescue gear. Ford designers removed 60 percent of the rear seat on the driver's side and replaced it with a rescue equipment storage unit – an aluminum box with specially designated spaces for important emergency equipment, such as defibrillators, trauma boxes and oxygen tanks.
The Hybrid fleet enabled the lifeguards to reduce the fuel usage by 25 percent. In addition to fuel savings, the lifeguards reduced their fleet's emissions by approximately 97,500 lbs. of CO2 during the first half year of service.
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