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L.A. Lifeguards Get a New Escape
Jun 03 2008 by Lori Hindman
6/3/08
Baywatch Crew Now Driving Hybrid SUVs
Los Angeles County's lifeguards are world famous for their skills, their courage and their ability to fill out a red swimsuit. They make up the largest lifeguard organization in the world, and now they can also be famous for being the first lifeguard organization in the country to "go green" with environmentally friendly vehicles.
Ford recently announced that the first of 45 custom Escape Hybrids were delivered to Los Angeles County lifeguards. Previously, the Baywatch crew drove a fleet of four-wheel-drive Nissan Frontiers on 72 miles of public beaches in Southern California. When Nissan axed its sponsorship of the lifeguard department, Ford was stepped up to the plate.
According to Capt. Perry Harvey, it's been a very positive partnership from the beginning. Once Ford landed the job as the guards' new sponsor, they "really went over and beyond customizing these trucks," Harvey said. "They wanted to make sure that we had everything we needed for our conditions and environment. Kudos to Ford."
Ford engineers spent hours bouncing around in the deepest, softest sand L.A.'s beaches have to offer, testing tires and towing capacities under harsh conditions. The new Escapes have a custom-designed utility box to hold and organize equipment, from paddleboards to defibrillators, while still leaving room to transport passengers when necessary (you know, like for the occasional found kid/lost mom reunion).
The guards at Zuma Beach, near Malibu, were the first to receive their new rides. So far, feedback has been, like, totally stellar. Lifeguards gain visibility and maneuverability in the sand (unlike that jogging stroller I've been lugging across the beach), and the new "mobiles are still that rockin" yellow that the kids love. I was actually wondering how I could go about testing one out in the harsh conditions of Costco and my neighborhood park.
The best part, though, is that the Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV out there, so it emits less carbon dioxide during one lifesaving shift than grilling a couple of burgers on the ol' BBQ! �Cause, dude, there's already plenty of yuck in the air in L.A. Trust me.
