Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division

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Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division

Welcome to the OFFICIAL page of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division.

The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service employs 132 year-round lifeguards (Chiefs, Captains and Ocean Lifeguard Specialists) and over 650 seasonal lifeguards (Recurrents). Responsible for providing ocean lifesaving protection for over 72 miles of Southern California coastline, the Los Angeles County Lifeguards perform over 16,000 ocean rescues a year. The service is also entrusted with protecting and serving an estimated fifty-five million beachgoers a year. In addition, County lifeguards provide around the clock paramedic services to the residents of Catalina Island.

09/15/2026

A single-victim ocean rescue captured up in Zuma this past weekend shows each stage of how to effectively bring in someone who is in a very dangerous situation.

Quickly identifying the signs of distress and developing ocean conditions, and making the split-second decision to effect the rescue as soon as possible and before the circumstances worsen.

Drawing the shortest line from you to your victim, using the ocean conditions to get you there as quickly as possible.

Backup arrives on the berm to assist if need be, while the rescuer swims head-up in order to not lose sight of the victim.

Securing the victim with the rescue can for flotation and clearly communicating the next steps to ensure a successful rescue.

Swimming the victim in at a 45-degree angle in order to avoid fighting the rip current head-on.

Using ocean conditions to get your victim back to the beach as quickly as possible.

Monitoring incoming waves in order to not put your victim in harm’s way.

Appropriately moving your victim through the surf line to give them the best possible chance of getting back to shore unharmed.

Using the shorebreak to help carry you and your victim into shallower water, where you can safely regain your footing.

Releasing your victim safely back to the beach with a smile and heading back out for the next rescue.

There were 279 other ocean rescues just like this over the past weekend.

Thank you, LACoFD Lifeguard Division, for more hard work during another busy weekend.

09/12/2026

A perfect sunset tonight as we honor the incredible courage and ultimate sacrifice of so many twenty-five years ago. We will never forget.

And as we head into the weekend, expect more beautiful sunsets because we will have more beautiful conditions at the beach, with mostly sunny skies, coastal air temperatures in the mid-70s to lower 80s, light winds, water temperatures around 70 degrees, and surf generally in the 2–3-foot range.

Rip currents will remain a concern, so know your limits, check in with a , and always swim, surf, or bodyboard in front of an OPEN lifeguard tower.

Never forget. Have a safe weekend.

09/10/2026

As swell from Hurricane Marie 2.0 brought increased surf to the Southern California coastline over Labor Day weekend, over a million people visited Los Angeles County beaches, and LACoFD Lifeguard Division responded to more than 450 ocean rescues, nearly 42,000 preventative actions, more than 400 medical aids, and 427 emergency vehicle responses.

While Labor Day marked the close of our recurrent lifeguard summer schedules, summer conditions are still here. If you’re heading to the coast, take a moment to check in with a , understand the day’s conditions, know your limits, and always swim or surf in front of an OPEN lifeguard tower.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today marks the traditional close of our peak summer season. As our recurrent LACoFD Lifeguard Division begin wrapping up their summer schedules, we want to recognize and thank them for their commitment, professionalism, and hard work throughout another busy season.

Their dedication plays an important role in helping us protect the millions of people who visit our coastline and keeping LA County beaches among the safest in the world.

And with the arrival of more swell and more warm temperatures across Los Angeles County today, we anticipate another busy day along our beaches. If you’re spending the holiday with us, help make it a safe one:

👉 Swim in front of an open lifeguard tower
👉 Check in with a lifeguard for the latest ocean and beach conditions
👉 Know your limits and swim, surf, or bodyboard within your ability

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

09/05/2026

Labor Day weekend is here! ☀️🌊

If you’re planning to spend it at the beach, be prepared for increasingly hazardous ocean conditions along the Los Angeles County coastline.

Swell from Hurricane Marie is expected to build throughout the weekend, with NWS Los Angeles forecasting surf to be well overhead at south-facing beaches Sunday and Labor Day.

Along with the larger surf, expect strong and potentially dangerous rip currents throughout the weekend.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is also in effect, with elevated tides and larger surf creating the potential for minor coastal flooding and beach erosion. There is also a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms on Sunday.

With warmer temperatures and a busy holiday weekend ahead, LACoFD Lifeguard Division are prepared and staffed accordingly.

If you’re heading into the water:

👉 Check in with a lifeguard for the latest conditions
👉 Swim and surf in front of an open lifeguard tower
👉 Know your limits and stay within your ability

Enjoy the holiday weekend, have fun, and stay safe out there! 🌊

09/04/2026

If you’re planning to visit the beach this holiday weekend, please be aware that NWS Los Angeles has issued a High Surf Advisory through Labor Day as waves from Tropical Cyclone Marie begin to impact the Southern California coastline.

Waves are expected to build significantly, with well-overhead surf possible at some of the county’s top south-facing beaches. Along with the increased surf, expect stronger and more frequent rip currents and increasingly hazardous ocean conditions.

With warmer temperatures expected to bring increased beach attendance, LACoFD Lifeguard Division are prepared and staffed accordingly for what we anticipate will be a busy holiday weekend. If you’re heading into the water, make it a point to check in with a lifeguard first. Understanding the day’s conditions, knowing your limits, and swimming or surfing in front of an open lifeguard tower can make all the difference.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, have fun, and stay safe.

09/02/2026

As we head into the holiday weekend, we’re keeping a close eye on the tropics.

Two tropical systems are currently active in the Pacific. Hurricane Karina is expected to weaken as we move toward Friday, while Hurricane Marie is developing close behind and could generate one of the more significant tropical swells we’ve seen this season, with the biggest impacts potentially reaching our coastline around Labor Day.

There’s still plenty that can change as these systems develop, and we’ll continue to provide updates as the forecast and storm tracks become clearer. For now, beachgoers should be prepared for building surf, increased rip current activity, and potentially hazardous ocean conditions as we move through the holiday weekend.

If the beach is part of your Labor Day plans, check in with a before entering the water, know your limits, and always swim or surf in front of an open lifeguard tower.

Stay tuned and enjoy the holiday weekend safely.

09/01/2026

The stats are in.

More than a million people headed to the beach this last weekend as warm temperatures, warm water, and a runing swell made for some ideal beach weather. With the crowds and increased ocean activity, LACoFD Lifeguard Division performed more than 1,200 ocean rescues and responded to nearly 400 medical emergencies.

As we head into another warm weekend with a new tropical swell on the way, we expect the beaches to remain busy and ocean conditions to become more active. Before entering the water, take a moment to check in with a about the day’s conditions, know your limits, and always swim or surf in front of an open lifeguard tower.

08/31/2026

Yesterday, paddlers from around the world pushed off from the Isthmus of Catalina Island for the 32-mile crossing of the San Pedro Channel, finishing at the Manhattan Beach Pier for another incredible Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.

This year, we’re especially proud to congratulate three of our own Ocean Lifeguard Specialists on their podium finishes:

Sydney Brouwer — 1st, Women’s Stock
Shane Gallas — 2nd, Men’s Unlimited
Davey Thomas — 3rd, Men’s Stock

The commitment LACoFD Lifeguard Division have to this race date back to its beginnings in 1955, and 70 years later, we’re proud to see that tradition continue as a special part of our community and a celebration of everything these paddlers work so hard to accomplish.

Congratulations to every paddler who made the crossing, and thank you to everyone who continues to carry the tradition forward. We’ll see you next year!

Address

2600 The Strand
Los Angeles, CA
90266

Telephone

+13109397200

Website

http://www.lacolifeguards.com/, https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/ea58425daa2f44dd8a238cbda093b787, https://www.governm

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