GULF SHORES — With double red flags signaling danger in the waters off Alabama's coast, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Gulf Shores Beach Rescue and Orange Beach Surf Rescue are teaming up to keep beachgoers safe.
The ALEA helicopter patrols and offers training opportunities for lifeguards, all thanks to extra funds State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) secured in the legislature. Elliott explained the funding was inspired by the tragic 2021 drowning death of Baldwin County deputy Bill Smith.
"This week marks the fifth anniversary of Deputy Bill Smith's death," Elliott said. "He died heroically rescuing swimmers in distress off of the Ft. Morgan peninsula. Shortly after this tragedy, Sheriff Anthony Lowrey called together state, county and municipal public safety officials to find a quicker and safer way to respond to swimmers in distress and he challenged me to find the funding and we did."
Since the initial funding allotment, Elliott has continued to seek additional funding from Montgomery.
"This year, we increased that funding by 50% to provide even more beach safety flights using ALEA's aviation unit in conjunction with Orange Beach and Gulf Shores lifeguards who deploy directly from the aircraft in an emergency," Elliott explained. "It's one of the best examples of how effective government can be when we work together across jurisdictional lines to protect the public and a small way to remember and honor Deputy Bill Smith's sacrifice."
1819 News got an exclusive look from the skies, and Gulf Shores Beach Rescue chief Joethan Phillips explained why this training is so important.
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