Galveston Island Beach Patrol has named Austin Kirwin as its new chief following months of leadership turmoil. The 14-year veteran takes over as the agency continues to grapple with a nationwide lifeguard shortage
Following a summer characterized by tranquil waters and consistent monitoring, the Galveston Island Beach Patrol is undergoing a shift, appointing Austin Kirwin as its new leader.
This week, the Galveston Park Board of Trustees officially appointed Kirwin, a seasoned veteran with 14 years of experience, to lead the patrol, removing the “acting” title he had held since March. Kirwin replaces longtime Chief Peter Davis, who faced suspension and subsequent dismissal due to allegations of poor judgment and misconduct. Davis, after dedicating over 40 years to the organization, has now initiated a federal lawsuit against the Park Board.
Kirwin, who is also a member of the Texas Air National Guard, expressed his determination to move forward. "I firmly believe in the importance of looking ahead, progressing, and not becoming stuck in what has already happened," he shared with Chron. “Measures and protocols have been established to ensure that past incidents do not recur.”
In light of the recent leadership changes, Kirwin noted that the patrol has had a strong performance this year. The Park Board reports that lifeguards have performed over 138,000 preventative actions, successfully rescued 75 swimmers, and reunited 74 lost children with their families.
Nonetheless, the issue of staffing remains a challenge. This summer, the patrol deployed approximately 80 lifeguards across 29 beach towers, falling short of the optimal 100 lifeguards needed. Kirwin stated that the team made changes by modifying their schedules and increasing their working hours.
In the upcoming offseason, his primary focus will be on recruiting additional lifeguards while firmly maintaining that safety standards will remain uncompromised. “Our team needs to complete their 500 meters in under 10 minutes,” Kirwin stated. “It’s a stringent physical criterion, and certain individuals may find it challenging to fulfill that.”
