Longport Beach Patrol Chief Tom Kresz takes the oath of office administered by Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2022.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
LONGPORT – Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Lawler Thursday, Jan. 19 administered the oath of office to Thomas Kresz, who was appointed chief of the Longport Beach Patrol.
Kresz, 31, took his oath surrounded by his family with members of the Beach Patrol as witnesses.
Kresz is best known as the lifeguard stationed at 33rd and 26th avenues over the last 18 years. In addition to serving as a lifeguard, Kresz is also a certified emergency medical technician, a member of the Longport Volunteer Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management team.
“With his background, he is a perfect fit for us,” Mayor Nicholas Russo said. “The Beach Patrol rank and file and this commission are behind you.”
Margate City Fire Chief Dan Adams, who was the Longport Beach Patrol Chief for many years, said it takes a lot of time and dedication to lead the department, “but it’s the greatest job in the world. Tom will do a great job for Longport, and his peers will look up to him.”
From left, TJ, Tom Kresz, Katie and Tanner Kresz, Commissioner Dan Lawler, and Mayor Nicholas Russo.
Kresz said he wanted to lead the Beach Patrol not only because of his qualifications, but also because he is an involved member of the community.
“To be a good leader, you have to be active in the community,” he said.
Kresz is a teacher at the Cape May County Special Services School District.
“Being a lifeguard and a teacher complement each other, not only because you get summers off to do the job, but because of the organizational and safety skills needed to do both jobs. Even with the Fire Department, you have to be able to deal with emergencies all the time.”
Kresz said he has participated in many saves over his 18 year career, but none stand out as much as the summer of 2020, which proved to be a challenging year for beach patrols up and down the coast. Kresz was one of the first lifeguards to offer mutual aid in Ventnor City when he responded on a jet ski to help locate a missing swimmer, and another incident that summer finding two fishermen who fell off their boat in the inlet.
“It was a busy summer that year,” he said.
The top job was posted for lieutenants and captains to apply after former Chief Matt Kelm announced he was retiring after 40 years on the Beach Patrol and Kresz was promoted to lieutenant.
Kresz submitted his letter of interest and passed a group interview with Lawler, Administrator A. Scott Porter and CFO Jenna Kelly. During the interview, he was asked where he sees the beach patrol in five years.
“I want to see it continue to do its best for the borough, its citizens, visitors and beach goers. I hope we have many more successful summers watching over the water.”
He lives in Ventnor with his wife Katie and two young sons, TJ, 2, and Tanner, 3 months.
Members of the Longport Beach Patrol support newly sworn Chief Tom Kresz.
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