GGNRA lifeguards join Harvey rescue efforts

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s three best-trained lifeguards are traveling to Houston to assist with the search and rescue of Hurricane Harvey victims.

The lifeguards are Patrick Burns, supervisory lifeguard, and lifeguards Nick Ferrari and Oliver Gilbert. All three Marin County residents are stationed at Stinson Beach.

They recently drove to Texas in a specialized beach patrol truck hauling a Zodiac rescue boat and were scheduled to arrive in College Station, Texas this evening. They begin their work Friday, according to GGNRA officials.

Burns is an emergency medical technician, a Red Cross lifeguard and a CPR instructor. Gilbert is en emergency medical responder and a volunteer with the Stinson Beach Fire Department. Ferrari also is an emergency medical technician.

GGNRA Superintendent Cicely Muldoon said she is proud of the three men and honored the GGNRA can assist with the emergency response.

“We are sending the best of the best when it comes to water rescue,” Muldoon said. “Our thoughts will be with them, the people of Texas and other first responders,” Muldoon said.