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PEP Archives | September
2002 Table of Contents | Public Employee Press Archives | Home
One of 125,000
DC
37 Everyday
heroes
Lawyer, Teacher, Lifeguard
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Danger lurks offshore as Lifeguard Supervisor
Pat Rocourt protects the lives of thousands at Rockaway Beach.
"Summertime, and the livin' is easy?"
Not for Rockaway Beach Lifeguard Supervisor Pat Rocourt.
"During the summer, it's on your mind every day that something
could go wrong," she says.
With vigilance and experience, she has been guarding Rockaway Beach
for 16 summers—10 years
as a Lifeguard and six as a Supervisor. She grew up in the area, and
now she protects other families and children as they enjoy its sandy
stretches and cooling surf.
In the off-season, Ms. Rocourt is an attorney who specializes in civil
law while she teaches history and law at Canarsie High School. But
come summer, she heads for Rockaway Beach.
"Some things have changed over the years," she says. "The
beach is definitely cleaner. We get more immigrant families. And tourists
from Europe are learning to take the A train to the beach. They love
it here! We interact with people from all over the world."
Ms. Rocourt is a member of Lifeguard Supervisors Local 508. She is
in charge of two Supervisors and a crew of almost two dozen Lifeguards,
who are in Local 461. Many of the Lifeguards return each year, so
beachgoers get to know and trust them.
"We have a great team, athletic and well trained. After I make
assignments each morning, we do drills. I walk around during the day
making sure everything is all right and observing the water conditions.
You need to know where the drop-offs are in the water. I tell my Lifeguards
what to watch out for so they can warn people to stay in certain areas.
It's all part of what I call 'preventive lifeguarding,' " she
says.
When emergencies do strike, Ms. Rocourt is ready. As a Lifeguard,
she was involved in numerous rescues. She once had to swim out against
the current to help save three drowning adults caught in the surf.
"As a Supervisor, I'm no longer on the chair. I use my experience
to train the Lifeguards and coordinate rescues."
"Pat Rocourt is a great example of the high quality of Lifeguard
Supervisor we provide to the people of New York each summer,"
said Peter Stein, president of Local 508.
Ms. Rocourt, a staunch union supporter, is getting involved in this
fall's union election efforts. "I'll work phone banks, pass out
leaflets, and urge other members to vote," she said. "We
want to elect someone who supports union issues, respects seasonal
employees like Lifeguards and sees our work as crucial for protecting
the public safety."
— Donna
Silberberg