Opening of Milwaukee County outdoor pools this summer depends on finding lifeguards

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County is in a determined seek for lifeguards in order that public swimming pools can open this summer time.

Solely 4 of the county’s 25 swimming pools opened final 12 months on account of a scarcity of lifeguards. For a similar purpose, Bradford Seaside hasn’t had lifeguards on responsibility in years.

The issue has not gone away. Plans to reverse it are ramping up.

“We’ve been out actively recruiting at excessive colleges, with swim groups, and have been going to a wide range of hiring occasions,” stated Andrea Wallace, Assistant Director of Recreation for Milwaukee County Parks. “We’re additionally internet hosting our personal hiring occasion solely centered on jobs with the parks on Jan. 30 on the Mitchell Park Domes Greenhouse from 10 a.m. to six p.m.”

Wallace says the Covid-19 pandemic fractured the lifeguard pipeline by halting certification courses and shutting down swimming pools. In consequence, plenty of younger people who find themselves usually lifeguards discovered different jobs or moved on. The trade hasn’t bounced again.

“Our aim is to have folks begin with us as rookies, and return by way of the years, for summers, or keep year-round,” stated Wallace. “We provide bonuses for returning staff.”

Kaitlyn DeLong began as a Milwaukee County lifeguard 4 years in the past. She has labored at Cool Waters at Greenfield Park, McCarty Park Pool, Pulaski, and Noyes Pool. She now teaches swim courses and lifeguard coaching.

“It’s a fantastic job if you happen to’re a pupil,” stated DeLong. “I’ve made plenty of nice associates, and it’s nice for constructing work expertise.”

Each Saturday for the following six weeks (Jan 21-Feb 25), the county is holding free lifeguard coaching courses at Noyes Park (8235 Good Hope Street) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In February and March, there may even be free weeknight coaching choices at Pulaski Excessive Faculty’s pool.

To enroll and assessment lifeguard coaching choices, go to this hyperlink.

The coaching is open to everybody with no expertise needed. To be a lifeguard this summer time although you have to be 16 or older by July 2023.

DeLong hopes folks don’t let the concern of not being ok within the water but scare them.

“It took me a few instances to move the coaching necessities,” she stated. “However the academics actually work carefully with everybody to ensure they’ll get to the extent of being licensed.”

The beginning wage for a newbie lifeguard in Milwaukee County is $16.47/hour. More money might be earned by referring associates who change into lifeguards and staying on the job by way of the entire summer time season.

County recreation leaders say it’s a vicious cycle, as a result of closed swimming pools result in fewer youngsters and youths swimming and studying the way to swim, which makes the problem of discovering lifeguards even worse.

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