While Labor Day may mean the "end of Summer" for some, the season doesn't officially end for the Ocean Rescue Unit (ORU) until October 1. While staffing is maintained at the Fire Stations during the "off season" in case of emergency, the on-beach patrols have ceased until next Summer. During the October 8, 2024 Town Council Meeting, Chief Lee Price was joined by ORU members to give a detailed Season Report.

From July 1 - October 1, ORU members assisted or directly responded to:

That last one, "Safety Education" is key! While out on patrols, our vehicles were stopped constantly to ask questions about everything from current conditions, or explaining the Beach Warning Flags, or even to give advice on spotting rip currents. Each time, we counted that as a major "win" for safety. Any efforts to help educate beachgoers on how to enjoy the ocean safely and responsibly, means one less person we might have to be called to save later. 

Once again, THANK YOU Oak Island for helping to make this program and our efforts possible. We have worked hard to build this program to help better serve this community, and the numbers now show the results.

• CLICK HERE to view the Report Presentation

About ORU

Emergencies can happen anywhere, and when you live on an island, that certainly includes the water and beach areas! That's why the Oak Island Fire Department maintains an Ocean Rescue Unit.

"In addition to being certified as Firefighter Level II or greater, all department staff are certified in Water Rescue and EMT Basic training as well."

The Ocean Rescue Unit is specialized division of the Fire Department, staffing highly trained Firefighter / Rescue members who utilize a Quick Response Vehicle (QRV) and a Rescue Watercraft (RWC) to patrol the beach strand during high-traffic times.

Their patrols allow for rapid response to calls for water rescue or medical emergencies, and help provide the public with a visible reminder of Beach Warning Flag and surf conditions.  

• QRV: Built on a Ford F-150 pickup truck, the QRV is smaller and more maneuverable than other rescue equipment, allowing for faster response on the crowded beach areas. They carry rescue boards, "torpedo" style flotation devices, and emergency medical equipment, among other items. 
• RWC: The RWC, a 2023 Sea Doo GTX 300 is fully equipped to assist in emergency response on the water; including surf extrication and rescue efforts with its attached P2PRescue Sled. It can be rapidly launched from anywhere on the beach, responding to emergencies within mere minutes.

The Fire Department's Ocean Rescue Unit operates seamlessly with the public safety efforts from the Oak Island Police Department's Beach Services Unit and the volunteer support of Oak Island Water Rescue. Together these three agencies, along with Brunswick County and surrounding municipal partners, work to provide a rapid, comprehensive response for the entire community.

Training & Tools

When providing emergency response in today’s world, it is crucial to be able to blend technology with technique! 

Provided below is a short video clip of the Ocean Rescue Unit completing their certifications while also learning to work seamlessly with newly available drone technologies. These abilities include quickly delivering Recue Tubes, Auto-Inflating Devices, and Tether Rope, as well as victim location through daytime Infrared (IR) cameras!

While these tools are definitely “game changers” for rapid life-saving response, they are still just tools. True of any trade, a tool is only as useful as the person using it.

As is the case for the entire first responder community in Oak Island, the ORU is working hard to ensure that whenever called upon, we have the TOOLS, the TECHNIQUES, and the TEAMWORK ready.

REMINDER: Keep Paths Free From Street To Seas!