Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) Lifeguard Captain Patrick O’Neill and Ocean Lifeguard Specialist Pono Barnes attended the 2019 Southern California Shark Workshop at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) on Friday, February 15, 2019.
The Department’s Lifeguard Division, along with other lifeguard, fire and harbor agencies from all over Southern California, participated in the workshop led by Dr. Chris Lowe, a CSULB marine biology professor and leading shark scientist.
Dr. Lowe presented information on the Shark Lab Lifeguard Marine Wildlife Education Program, the standardization of shark warning/advisory systems, and the latest shark lab tracking technology and data. He also educated the audience on incident protocols and first aid for shark bites.
The workshop helps the Lifeguard Division improve emergency response efforts to shark-related incidents and educate the community in shark safety.