Now That's Sexy: LA County Lifeguards Get Ford Escape Hybrids
by Andrew Posner, Providence, Rhode Island 
on 05.26.08
We've seen Ford Escape Hybrid taxis in New York City, and now they are making the move to sunny Los Angeles, where they will serve as patrol cars for the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Headquarters. If only Baywatch were still on the air, they'd likely compete with Pamela Anderson for the attention of Treehuggers everywhere. Or not. Still, the lifeguards are happy to be receiving ten of the hybrid SUVs, with plans to expand the fleet to 45. The Escape hybrid will get 29 mpg in the city (presumably, however, driving on sand adversely impacts fuel economy) and 27 mpg on the freeway. Finally, the Escape will be easier on L.A.'s notoriously bad smog: according to one Ford sales manager, "[the Escape Hybrid] releases fewer smog-forming emissions into the atmosphere during a three-hour drive (about 180 miles) than grilling one hamburger in your back yard."
See Also: ::Eco-Limo Chauffeur Service in Los Angeles, ::Kermit the Frog and Escape Hybrid: Match Made In Heaven?, ::Popular Support For Hybrid Cabs in NYC, ::Using Solar Roofs To Power Hybrids, ::Green Basics: Hybrid-Electric Cars, ::Diesel-Hybrid Pickup Coming to U.S., and ::AT&T Greens its Fleet With 105 New, Efficient Vehicles
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Now if only they could covert those over to electric......
The lifeguards used to do without vehicles altogether. Why do they need to have a big vehicle parked next to the life guard station? So they can drive to lunch? Drive back to their car at the end of shift? I don't doubt they occasionally find real uses, but are they worth the cost. Wouldn't hiring more lifeguards be better than having vehicles on the sand. Also at least two people have been driven over with these vehicles on area beaches. (I live here and bike on the bike path frequently.)
In summary, what should be addressed is the need for vehicles at all. One of the car manufacturers was smart enough to donate some to the life guards years ago, and now they are "essential."
I am disappointed. It is still a gas guzzler and has no place on treehugger.
"Now if only they could covert those over to electric......"
considering how infrequently they drive, they could probably do a solar panel on the lifeguard stands, and charge at each stand :)
"The lifeguards used to do without vehicles altogether. Why do they need to have a big vehicle parked next to the life guard station?"
Many lifeguards are in some what of a law enforcement role in terms of keeping the beach safe and crime free. Granted, they call the police when there are real issues, but they drive up and down the beach to keep an eye on it. Often an ATV is used for this role (35-40mpg at least at the slow speeds they drive)
There are many beaches with literally miles of beach between lifeguard stands, so automatic defibrillator's and massive first aid kits have to be brought to the scene.
Lifeguard vehicles are a drop in the bucket of fuel use in this country. Let's all inflate our tires and we just saved more fuel than that!
Most of you who commented have no clue!!!
You should research the topic before you expose your ignorance to the world wide web!
If the County of L.A. Fire Department deems it necessary to have lifeguard vehicles than I would think you in all your lack of wisdom would not question that.
Firstly, they might not even put 1000 miles/year on those vehicles!
Secondly, the vehicles are sponsored by Ford so the county doesn't even pay for them!
Thirdly, lets load you down with an O2 tank, trauma bag, defibrillator, airway bag, backboard, paddleboard, etc and have you run from lifeguard headquarters 2 miles down the beach in soft sand to respond to an unconscious drowning victim in need of lifesaving intervention. After that, you can gather your gear and run back to headquarters and tag the next lifeguard! I hate to say it but, there are some pretty dumb people in this world!