Organizational structure and staffing:

The Ocean City Beach Patrol has four zones providing ocean lifeguard and EMT services for Ocean City's approximately nine miles of protected beaches. Each zone has its own headquarters, also known as “tents”, located at the beach.  Zone 1 is at 1st street and the beach; Zone 2 is at 12th street and the beach; Zone 3 is at 34th street and the beach; Zone 4 is at 59th street and the beach. The Ocean City Beach Patrol Headquarters is located at Zone 1 at 1st Street and the beach. The Ocean City Beach Patrol Boat Shop, a general maintenance and administrative facility, is located at 46^th Street and West Avenue.  Generally, each zone (and Boat shop) is supervised by a Captain and staffed with two or three Lieutenants and an EMT, as well as a Personal Watercraft (PWC) operator.  Each zone consists of approximately ten to twelve guarded beaches, each staffed by two or three lifeguards. At its peak staffing during the summertime, the Ocean City Beach Patrol employs approximately 186 ocean lifeguards and EMT's and guards approximately 40-45 beaches, including one guarded beach exclusively for surfing.      

Director of Operations

 J. Allan Karas

The Director of Operations is the highest-ranking member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors to the Ocean City beaches, as well as the employees of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Director Karas began in this capacity in 2021. Before becoming a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol, Director Karas was a Special Agent for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for over 24 years, retiring as a DEA Supervisory Special Agent in 2021. Before DEA, Director Karas was an ocean lifeguard for the Atlantic City Beach Patrol for 14 seasons. Director Karas attended the University of Miami where he was member of the Division I football team and received a master's degree from the American University School of Public Affairs. Director Karas is a recipient of the highest investigative awards awarded by both DEA and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy

Chief of Operations

Erich Becker

The Chief of Operations is the second highest ranking member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. The Chief of Operations reports to the Director of Operations on all matters and is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors to the Ocean City beaches, as well as the employees of the Ocean City Beach Patrol. Erich Becker was named Chief in 2023. Chief Becker began his OCBP lifeguarding career in 1983, serving for three seasons. After a successful career in the private sector, Chief Becker returned to the OCBP in 2013. Chief Becker spent the majority of his childhood in Ocean City with his 12 siblings and is a graduate of Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, NJ. He is married with four children.

Deputy Chief 

Holly Lesser

Deputy Chief Holly Lesser began her career with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 2007. DC Lesser currently supervises the OCBP's Resource and Training Program (RTO), training, community outreach, and payroll. DC Lesser is the highest-ranking female in OCBP history. She is a three-time New Jersey State High School swimming champion for Egg Harbor Township (NJ) High School, later swimming for Division I East Carolina University where she graduated with honors. DC Lesser is married with two children and is an elementary school teacher in the off-season. 

Deputy Chief

Dan Casey

Deputy Chief Dan Casey began his career with the Ocean City Beach Patrol in 2007. DC Casey supervises lifeguarding operations for all of the OCBP's 4 Zones. DC Casey is a graduate of West Chester University where he was a member of the swim team. DC Casey is married to a fellow OCBP lifeguard, and in the off-season is an elementary school teacher for a West Chester (PA) area school district and a YMCA swim coach.