First responders ask public to heed beach hazard warnings after drownings, rescues at Bender Park
OAK CREEK, Wis. (CBS 58) – First responders are speaking out after several drownings and near-drownings this summer at a beach in Milwaukee County.
Since June 26, Oak Creek Fire Department has responded to six water rescue incidents at Bender Park.
Two people have died, and multiple people have been rescued in those incidents, including five people on Sunday night.
"Each of those responses was a significant undertaking for the Oak Creek Fire Department," said Oak Creek Fire Chief Michael Kressuk. "Each of those responses involved bystanders who, at great personal risk, made the decision to go help the victims."
Speaking to media Monday, Kressuk said he hopes people will take water safety more seriously, especially when waves and rip currents are at dangerous levels in Lake Michigan.
"This is a smaller beach. It tends to get a lot of visitors, and there's a lot of activity here, so with the prospects of quick weather changes, the rip currents going into effect, things can happen rather quickly," he said.
With an uptick in incidents this summer, the Oak Creek Fire Department is asking the public to do three things:
- Be aware of lakefront conditions
- Heed warnings for beach hazards
- Be aware of abilities in the water
"This is not an inland lake, this is not a pool, this is not a pond. The lake can go from calm to hazardous in a matter of minutes," Kressuk explained.
Water rescues often require extra resources.
"Underwater rescue is one of the more hazardous environments within which our firefighters will ever function," said Chief Aaron Lipski, from the Milwaukee Fire Department.
Sunday night's rescues at Bender Park were assisted by the Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Franklin, and Cudahy fire departments.
"We will continue to provide every inch of support that's requested," Lipski said.
Kressuk said fire departments and other agencies in Milwaukee County are actively working to make the lakefront safer.
"We want the members of the community to enjoy our lakefront, but we want them to do that safely," he said.
On Monday afternoon, yellow police tape surrounded the beach at Bender Park.
Chief Kressuk said it will stay there until the beach hazard is lifted, which is expected to happen Tuesday afternoon.