Virginia Beach Lifeguard Association

10/16/2026

Congratulations Sean!

Virginia Beach Fire Department and Stihl Announced Captain Sean K. Millard as the 2026 Virginia Beach Firefighter of the Year

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 14, 2026) — The Virginia Beach Fire Department (VBFD) is proud to announce Captain Sean Millard as this year’s Firefighter of the Year. This prestigious recognition reflects his outstanding leadership, technical expertise, and transformative contributions to our specialized water rescue programs and operational readiness across the department.

A steadfast leader and mentor, Captain Millard serves as a cornerstone of our marine operations. Holding critical assignments as a lead for the State Swift Water Team, a member of Virginia Task Force 2 (VA-TF2), and a vital contributor to the VBFD Marine Team, he continuously demonstrates an exceptional commitment to life safety and emergency response, both within our local waterways and across the Commonwealth.

Captain Millard’s proactive drive and tactical mastery have spearheaded vital advancements in maritime rescue capabilities. Recognizing the operational demands of our coastal environment, he took the initiative to design a comprehensive training and certification curriculum required to operate department personal watercraft. Serving as lead instructor, he has personally trained and qualified new Fire & Rescue Services (FRS) personnel, setting a rigorous standard for safe, aggressive, and effective watercraft operations.

Beyond the classroom, his foresight has modernized the department’s specialized fleet. Captain Millard led the charge to procure the department’s new Yamaha Jet Skis and was instrumental in securing upgraded, custom trailers engineered to optimize transit and expedite deployment during dynamic water emergencies. Concurrently, he prioritized member safety by successfully securing a critical procurement contract for specialized FRS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ensuring our personnel operate in hazardous, high-risk aquatic environments with the best protection available.

On the state and national level, Captain Millard coordinates and leads demanding training evolutions for the State Swift Water Team, ensuring our personnel maintain peak operational proficiency when deploying to major disasters. His forward-thinking vision has not only solidified VBFD’s reputation as a premier agency for water rescue but has also strengthened regional interoperability when disaster strikes neighboring jurisdictions.

Above all, Captain Millard embodies the very heart of company-level leadership. In a testament to his character and positive influence, he was nominated for this honor by a member of his own crew for his transformative impact on the workplace culture at Station 1. Leading with humility, accountability, and genuine investment in his personnel, he fosters an environment where company members are empowered to develop, excel, and take pride in their craft.

Captain Sean Millard exemplifies the highest standards of our profession. His technical proficiency, visionary leadership, and profound dedication to the growth of his peers make him a truly deserving recipient of this honor.

Congratulations to Captain Sean Millard—our 2026 Firefighter of the Year!

STIHL Virginia Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team

10/16/2026

We have a new addition to our headquarters!!!🛟🎨

Huge shoutout to Peter Davis for taking the time to create a mural that represents not only our company, but lifeguarding as a whole!! We can’t wait to see it everyday next summer and beyond! And a special thank you to Lori Golding-Zontini for capturing such a special moment!

10/12/2026

The end of the 2026 season is upon us. As of yesterday, our season if officially over, meaning lifeguards and supervisors will not be on the beach until May 2027.🛟

Thank you to all the lifeguards and supervisors for making 2026 a safe and fun summer!! We can’t wait to be back on the beach next year!🌊

10/01/2026

A lifeguard’s job comes with countless risks and responsibilities. Open-water lifeguards perform an essential role in protecting people from serious injury and drowning, all while putting their own lives at risk.

Even after hours of specialized training, protecting the environment, preventing emergencies, and responding to medical and water emergencies, open-water lifeguards still lack federal recognition as first responders and emergency response providers.

House Resolution 1188 was introduced to recognize the important role that open-water lifeguards play in emergency response at the federal level. VB Ocean Rescue is proud to join the USLA and other lifeguard agencies in supporting House Resolution 1188.

Help us spread the word and support the guards who keep our coastlines safe. To learn more about House Resolution 1188 and how you can support this effort, visit the USLA website through the link in our bio!

09/26/2026

As powerful winds and heavy surf continues in Virginia Beach, swimming is still prohibited until conditions improve. Guards will not be on stand today, however Supervisors will still be patrolling the resort beach. If you venture down to the beach to see the conditions yourself, please stay safe and away from the water.

09/24/2026

🚨 BEACH SAFETY ALERT 🚨

Due to the current Nor’easter off the coast, there continues to be a No Swimming Restriction in Virginia Beach. Strong North East winds and extreme high tides continue to create big swells and unsafe beach conditions.

Stay safe and when in doubt, don’t go out.

09/20/2026

🛟 20 YEARS OF SERVICE 🛟

From a teenage girl watching her brothers work on the beach to becoming an ocean lifeguard herself at 49 years old — her journey with Virginia Beach Lifesaving Service is one of turning a dream into reality… and for 20 years, Nancy “Mama” Hodges has been a vital part in the VBLS family!

After successfully completing her first swim test and surf rescue training, Nancy has never looked back. She remembers her surf rescue classes like it was yesterday… freezing cold water and ruff ocean conditions, but she wouldn’t change it for the world. For the past 20 years, she’s savored every day spent on the beach. She says her favorite aspect of the job is using her knowledge and skills to help beach patrons, make a difference in people’s lives, and work alongside some of the “best people she’s ever met.”

When she’s not in the stand, you can probably find Nancy in the water. Her favorite break-time activity is going for an ocean swim, usually with her husband, John. With the window for good ocean swimming conditions being short, she takes every opportunity she can get to get in the water.

And when it comes to competition? Her favorite competition event is “The next one on the schedule!” She also loves cheering on teammates and lifeguards from other beaches. For her, competition is about more than the events; it’s about the people, the support, and the relationships built along the way. Aside from comp, she also loves everything the VBLA brings to the community, especially the Ocean Swim Series that is held every year.

Her advice for anyone visiting the beach is to keep a close eye on your kids, to swim near a lifeguard, leave the beach better then you found it and make sure to stop by and say hi to the lifeguards when you first get to the beach!

We cannot express more gratitude for Mama Hodges and everything she has done for VB Ocean Rescue. Thank you for the best 20 years!!

09/19/2026

As the 2026 season continues to slow down in Virginia Beach, we continue to decrease our staffing levels. Starting today, lifeguards will be on stand on the resort beach during the weekends from 10a-5p. This means, guards will not be on stand during the week (Monday-Friday) for the remainder of the season. It is still important to swim near a lifeguard, so swim on a guarded beach when possible!

09/11/2026

VB Ocean Rescue wants to take a moment to honor and recognize the lives lost and the sacrifices made on September 11th, 2001.

25 years ago, our nation experienced an unthinkable tragedy. Today we honor and remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the families who continue to carry on their legacy, and the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to help ensure the safety of others. Time has moved forward, but their stories and their sacrifices remain with us. We are incredibly grateful for those who have served, those who sacrificed, and those who continue to protect and serve our communities and nation.

Never Forget. 09.11.01🇺🇸