Los Angeles, CA —Yesterday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to move forward with a plan to transition the fleet of trucks driven on Los Angeles County beaches by lifeguards to electric vehicles. The Los Angeles County Fire Department, which operates the Lifeguard Division, will analyze the funding and infrastructure needs for the implementation of the all-electric fleet and report back to the Board for further action.
“Our beaches are treasures that families from across LA County and visitors from around the world enjoy all year round. No one should have to breathe in toxic fumes while they do,” said Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn, who authored the motion. “This is as much about protecting the health of beachgoers as it is about taking climate action.”
In 2021, the Board of Supervisors directed all County departments to only purchase zero emission vehicles moving forward. The policy exempted all first responder vehicles because they often have different requirements and configurations. Unlike the vehicles used by the Fire Department’s firefighters and paramedic units, its lifeguards drive regular trucks.
The 800-member Lifeguard Division is tasked with protecting the County’s 72 miles of coastline, including 31 miles of beaches as well as Catalina Island.