On Monday, March 27, 2023, Fourth District County Supervisor and Chair Janice Hahn, along with team members from the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) and the Department of Beaches and Harbors (DBH), joined volunteers to kick-off painting a new specially themed lifeguard tower on Torrance Beach (near Paseo de la Playa).
“Cesar Chavez Day is a holiday for LA County, but my staff and I volunteered to use it as a day of service and helped repaint the Torrance Beach Lifeguard Tower,” said Supervisor Hahn. “The chosen design is special. It will be a permanent art installation raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), promoting acceptance and inclusion, and celebrating the work our Fire Department is doing to better protect and serve children with ASD and their families.”
Designed by LACoFD Ocean Lifeguard Scott Snyder, the lifeguard tower will be hand-painted throughout the week (March 27 through March 31) by ASD and special needs individuals and their families as well as advocates, educators, and community groups. The fully functional lifeguard tower will be boldly decorated into a permanent art installation, inspired by the LACoFD’s award-winning Sirens of Silence autism and special needs awareness, education, and inclusion program. The tower’s colorful mural represents a flurry of vibrant hearts in hues of red, gold, and blue, exemplifying an exuberance of joy, love, and kindness, while embracing all abilities.
“This one-of-a-kind lifeguard tower is symbolic of how we strive to provide the highest standard of care to all those who live, work, and play within the communities we serve,” said County of Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. “Our team members can relate to the Sirens of Silence motto that ‘Care Needs No Words’ and ‘Embrace All Abilities’ because they, too, know and love someone with autism and special needs.”
DBH stands with LACoFD in support of autism awareness and acceptance. “Our beach maintenance and crafts staff worked between torrential rainstorms to prepare the Torrance Beach Lifeguard Tower to carry the important message of support for those with ASD and the Sirens of Silence program,” said DBH Director Gary Jones. “We, too, know that it’s important that everyone feels safe, secure, and comfortable on our beaches. This tower is a visual expression of that message for millions of visitors to our beaches annually.”
The lifeguard tower was completed by World Autism Awareness Day which is celebrated annually on April 2 during what is nationally and Countywide-designated as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month.
We appreciate the generosity and support of the Behr Paint Company who provided the paint and materials for this community endeavor!
