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A new public safety plan at the Oceanside Harbor, approved by the Harbor & Beaches Advisory Committee in August and the City Council in October, took effect February 5.
In response to concerns that the Police unit stationed at the Harbor was often called to other areas of town, the Police and Fire Departments worked with Harbor users and City Management to develop a plan which aims to decrease response times and maintain a continual 24-hour presence.
The new plan has public safety duties shifted from Police to a Fire/Lifeguard Marine Safety Unit serving the residents, visitors, and businesses in the Harbor District with ocean emergency response capability.
The Harbor Marine Safety Unit is staffed by two lifeguards and one firefighter/paramedic at all times. This Harbor crew handles boat rescues, swimmer rescues, fire suppression, vessel and dock inspections, and manages medical emergencies that may occur both in the Harbor, at Harbor Beach, and offshore. The unit operates a rescue boat, a fire boat, vehicles, and other equipment already installed at the Harbor. Police are still be available for emergency calls.
This transition plan also supports downtown Fire Station 1, the city’s busiest station, by providing assistance with calls at the Harbor, improving response times, and allows the former Harbor Police personnel to be reassigned to other needs around greater Oceanside. The plan will be re-evaluated and refined as we go.
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