IN SAFE HANDS
Award Winning Beach Patrol Division Ready For Summer
WORDS: Lela Rast Hartsaw
PICTURES: Whitney Patton
Florida is known for its plentiful
sunshine and whi te sandy
beaches. Each year an estimated
three million people visit the beaches in
Manatee County. To ensure the safety of
those visitors, there is a devoted team
of dedicated individuals who live and
breathe safety on the water.
Manatee Marine Rescue won a coveted
award recently and will soon be going by
a new name - Beach Patrol Division - all
under the leadership of a man who is
passionate about keeping our beaches
as safe as they are beautiful.
Chief Joe Westerman smiles at me from
across his desk. Behind him, through the
window, I see the stunning aquamarine
waters of the Intercoastal Waterway and
I am reminded that this, where people
come to play, is where Westerman comes
to work. “For over 30 years, I’ve been part
of this Public Safety program,” Westerman
tells me.
Many could not imagine being so lucky
as to have their daily commute take them
to such a gorgeous location. It’s for that
reason that what Westerman and his
cohorts do is so important.
“My family moved to Manatee County when
I was in third grade.” Westerman explains
when asked about his background. “I
attended Prine Elementary, Sugg Middle,
and Bayshore High School. Thought I
wanted to play college football, and when
that didn’t quite work out, I came back and
became a weight-lifting coach. Coaching
is all about life. Raising kids, whether they
are yours or not, is about mentoring and
helping those kids achieve their goals.
Like the saying goes, “It takes a village...”
Then if the coaching has taught the kid
to stay true and learn solid skills, they are
still a winner whether they walk away with
the medal or not.”
Little did he know that this coaching
experience would lead to his life’s work
at the newly re-named Beach Patrol
Division. Westerman’s ability to pull the
best out of people in his charge is evident
just in speaking with him and clearly seen
in the stories he tells.
Even if the majority of the people of
Manatee County never fully understand
what it takes to ensure the safety of
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