- April 26, 2024
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Volusia County's Beach Safety director is resigning, effective March 22.
Chief Andrew Ethridge submitted his two-week's notice to Volusia County Public Protection Director Mark Swanson on Saturday, March 9. Ethridge, who began working as a lifeguard on Volusia County beaches in 1996, was promoted to director of Beach Safety in 2021.
"After spending 28 years in public service, I have decided it is time to move on to other opportunities," Ethridge wrote in his letter of resignation. "This past year presented unprecedented challenges and caused us to reinvent the Beach Safety Division. The work that was done to move our agency toward the future and our newly defined mission was difficult but rewarding."
Last year, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office took over law enforcement duties on Volusia County beaches. This was a result of Gov. Ron DeSantis signing House Bill 1595 into law, which gave sheriff's offices in the state the authority to patrol unincorporated areas.
"I worked diligently to ensure the Volusia County Beach Safety Division will stay in a position to provide the high level of service our citizens and visitors have come to expect," Ethridge wrote. "My work here is done."
Without law enforcement duties, Beach Safety division is responsible for managing the beach, providing lifeguard and emergency medical services to beachgoers.
Ethridge said in his letter that he had "an incredible career with Beach Safety" and will cherish the memories made. In January, Beach Safety was named the 2023 Beach Patrol of the Year by the Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs Association, highlighting the 2,512 water rescues and 35,811 preventive actions performed in 2023. The agency also responded to 1,162 medical emergencies and addressed 41,272 calls for service on the 47-mile stretch of beach in Volusia.
"There truly is nothing that compares to performing water rescues," Ethridge said in his letter. "Pulling a victim out of a rip current and breathing life back into them while they fight for their life is nothing short of amazing.I could not have asked for a better team of people to work with, and I will miss them the most; they are true professionals who are dedicated to their craft."
