Vanderbilt Beach opens new lifeguard tower in Collier County

Former trauma nurse Diane Stein has seen firsthand how tragic drownings are. "It's devastating. I've experienced little ones up to the elderly, and it's a profound, profound loss not only for the families but for the community at large," Stein said. North Collier Fire Rescue dedicated a new lifeguard tower at Vanderbilt Beach Friday morning, aiming to enhance safety and emergency preparedness for people on the beach. Stein said, "I'm delighted to be able to experience the christening of this new lifeguard station." Ocean Rescue Tower 29 is the first of 11 lifeguard towers permitted in Collier County, part of an initiative to better equip the community for emergencies on the beach. "What we're trying to do is excite the community about this, get people involved — at the same time, protect the community," said fire district commissioner Chris Lombardo. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children in Florida ages 1 to 4. In July, a 16-year-old tragically died after swimming in the waters off Naples. Lifeguards began patrolling Vanderbilt Beach for the first time in July, an effort Stein believes is invaluable. "Time is critical. It's absolutely critical. It could mean life or death in the case of a near-drowning," she said. Fire district officials said they aim to launch a junior lifeguard program to further prepare the community for emergencies. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.