BULHEAD CITY – The Bullhead City Council approved a contract amendment and extension last week that expands the city’s relationship with Water Rescue and Safety LLC (WRS) for public safety support along the Colorado River and community beaches. Police Chief Robert Trebes told the council that the partnership began in March, 2018 after a successful pilot program with another vendor, Contemporary Services Corporation.
Trebes said city police boats made 191 waterway rescues and assists, 5 operating under the influence arrests, issued 133 citations and responded to 50 accidents in 2018 accidents. He said contract lifeguards made 2,826 contacts, performed 383 waterway assists and 313 rescues and responded to 89 medical calls the same year.
“The Colorado River continues to be busy and congested with city residents and visitors. The collaboration between the police department and contracted lifeguards has been very successful and has allowed the police department to increase its presence on the river, likely reducing accidents and injuries and keeping overtime costs down,” Trebes said. “In addition, the lifeguards have received advanced training and have the ability to offer a higher level of medical care if needed, until paramedics can respond.”
Council approved a $414,000 contract with WRS for the rest of this summer season and next year’s as well. It adds Mondays to the Friday through Sunday coverage mix and adds another month of coverage beyond Labor Day to early Oct. this year and next.
“There’s no doubt that we need these lifeguards on the river. They are out there working tirelessly to keep the river safe,” Cotter said. “Without them on the river it would be a different river.”
Council approved a $35,840 supplemental allocation that will have WRS staff members providing security and other services on city beaches starting July 1.
“There can be times on busy weekends when we have up to 5,000 people in our parks. With that comes obligation to keep the parks safe,” Cotter said. Trebes said police and park ranger presence on beaches has been inadequate and that staff has been overwhelmed and exhausted.
“This is a really important topic,” agreed council member Waheed Zehri. “The safety of our community and our visitors is our first priority as a city council.”
Cotter touted the fact that the cost of the WRS services is funded by everyone who pays a $20 fee each time they rent a watercraft from one of 13 Bullhead City businesses.
“The vast majority of watercraft on the section of river between Community Park and Davis Camp up to the bridge are rented watercraft,” Cotter said. “The reason we need this program with ocean certified lifeguards on a river is because of rented watercraft. The rented watercraft users pay $20 each transaction. That’s every transaction, every day. That pays for this program.”
Dave Hawkins
