Rotary proposes rescue-tube pilot as Panama City Beach debates lifeguard expansion and partnership funding

Panama City Beach's City Council heard a multi-hour beach-safety briefing and public comments on July 25 that centered on a Rotary Club proposal to pilot public rescue tubes (PRTs) at shoreline access points and on a separate plan to expand lifeguard coverage using a potential Tourist Development Council (TDC) allocation.

Don Kulie, president of the Panama City Beach Rotary Club, told the council the club would fund, install and maintain a pilot of 5–10 public rescue-tube stations and perform inspections: “Panama City Beach Rotary Club does have a proven track record of working with the city and the county,” Kulie said, offering the club’s volunteers to inspect and replace units on a scheduled basis.

Residents and safety advocates urged the council to put safety equipment and staff where drownings are most likely. Captain Gary Wayne Beck, who has promoted a surf-rescue system, said he had a new rescue-device design and asked to meet staff after the meeting to discuss deployment. Alicia Redmond, who identified herself as the widow of a drowning victim, asked the council to direct fines collected for beach-safety violations back into lifeguard staffing and lifesaving equipment.

Council members and staff discussed two linked uses for a TDC-proposed $330,000 package: (1) convert seasonal lifeguards to full-time staff to expand roving coverage, and (2) seed public–private partnerships (PPPs) in which private hotels or condominiums would cover operating costs for permanent lifeguarded stations while the city might underwrite capital expenses. Staff estimated the TDC funding could support four full-time lifeguards and that roughly $100,000 of capital per partner would be a reasonable subsidy to lower entry barriers. Chief Ray Morgan and Deputy Chief Justin Bush stressed that lifeguards and rapid human response remain the core safety measure.

Councilman discussion focused on tradeoffs. Some members favored using funds first to hire full-time lifeguards that city management can deploy flexibly; others said PPPs could create permanently guarded beaches and were worth advertising to solicit partners through an October 1 timeframe. The council gave staff direction to advertise a PPP opportunity (capped in the near term) and to front capital for two partner sites using general-fund reserves if necessary, then seek reimbursement from TDC funds if the county approves the allocation.

Other safety layers discussed included LED warning lights, an ambassador program funded by TDC marketing dollars to educate visitors, recommended (not mandatory) flotation-device guidance for the public on high-risk days, and early-stage AI/video software pilots to aid lifeguard dispatching. The council asked staff to evaluate the AI vendor’s proposals and to pursue a free or low-cost pilot if feasible.

The Rotary Club’s offer drew support from council members and the police and fire leadership, though several members emphasized the need for clear maintenance, inspection, and placement plans and cautioned that some safety measures can encourage risky behavior if not paired with education and staffing. Council direction included: advertise a PPP pilot by Oct. 1, proceed with a Rotary pilot for rescue tubes, keep the $330,000 programmed for lifeguards pending county TDC approval, and return with operating and legal details.

The discussion produced no ordinance or binding contract at the meeting; rather, it produced staff directions and approvals to advertise and negotiate pilot partnerships and to continue evaluating technology and signage options. The council also encouraged participation by city and county officials at upcoming county TDC and budget hearings to shore up the proposed funding source.