Calpe Town Council is completing the award of the contract for lifeguard services, first aid transport and supervised bathing assistance on beaches and the coast. The contract proposal has been formalised, and the service is expected to start shortly.
The successful bidder will be responsible for ensuring safety on Calpe's beaches for the next four years. Their tasks will consist of preventing possible incidents and rescuing anyone in danger. To this end, they will carry out surveillance by land and sea, either on foot on the beach, from proximity chairs or from boats covering the 13 kilometres of Calpe's coastline.
The new contract, with a tender price of €3,155,000 for four years, divides the service into low, medium and high seasons, with different resources allocated at each time. The rescue and first aid service cover Cala de la Calalga, Playa de la Fossa, Cala del Racó del Port, Playa de Cantal Roig, Cala del Morelló, Playa del Arenal-Bol and Playa de Puerto Blanco.
The boats and medical transport must cover the entire coastline. Supervised swimming will take place in the accessible beach areas of La Fossa and Arenal-Bol.
Four periods have been established for the service throughout the year: Easter Week, Mid Season (1 to 31 May and 1 to 15 October), High Season 1 (1 to 30 June and 1 to 30 September) and High Season 2 (1 July to 31 August).
The service and staff are adapted to the needs of each season, so the number of lifeguards, beach supervisors, ambulance drivers, boat skippers, etc. varies depending on the season, reaching 32 people in high season. The ambulance service must be provided at all times and the rescue boat will operate during high season. The timetable will be set by the Town Council.
The material resources, from the basic first aid kit to transmission and public address equipment, amphibious chairs and crutches, defibrillators, cervical collars, immobilization splints, oxygen therapy equipment, etc., will be provided by the successful bidder.
All personnel hired must have at least a lifeguard qualification and be of legal age. Lifeguards working on the accessible beaches of La Fossa and Arenal-Bol will be trained to assist people with reduced mobility and will have at least one year's experience. Before the start of the annual service, the successful bidder will provide a complete list of lifeguards who will be providing the service, including their personal details and qualifications.