Want to be a lifeguard? Another Milwaukee County Parks free training session begins next week

Milwaukee County Park’s second free lifeguard training session begins next week.

There’s been an ongoing lifeguard shortage, which was greatly exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the county has not been able to open all of its summer swimming facilities since 2019, a Milwaukee County Parks official told the Journal Sentinel last May.

However, there was an uptick last year. In May, the Journal Sentinel reported county lifeguard staff increased to 136, up 36% from 2023.

Want to get involved this summer? Here’s what to know about lifeguard training in Milwaukee County:

When are the lifeguard training sessions?

The first session was earlier this month.

According to the department’s website, there will be three free training sessions through April. Recruits must pass the mandatory exam at the end of their designated session in order to move on to an emergency medical responder course.

Sessions for the emergency medical responder course will be available beginning in early June.

Here is the training schedule:

Session 2

Location: Pulaski Pool, 2701 S. 16th St.

Date: Feb. 4 to Feb. 20 on Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Exam Date: Saturday, Feb. 22 at 7 a.m.

Session 3

Location: Noyes Pool, 8235 W. Good Hope Road

Date: Feb. 25 to March 13 on Tuesday and Thursday

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Exam Date: Saturday, March 15 at 7 a.m.

Session 4

Location: Pulaski Pool, 2701 S. 16th St.

Date: March 31 to April 18 on Monday and Wednesday

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Exam Date: Saturday, April 19 at 7 a.m.

How can I sign up for lifeguard training?

You can sign up for lifeguard training here.

Is there an age requirement to be a lifeguard?

Yes. To qualify for training, you must be at least 15 years old and must be 16 years old by your hire date, according to the Milwaukee County Parks website.

What other qualifications must Milwaukee County lifeguards meet?

Aside from the age requirement, those interested in being lifeguards must be able to swim 100 meters in one minute 45 seconds or less and be “in good physical condition,” according to the department’s website.

How much do lifeguards get paid?

Lifeguards in Milwaukee County get paid $17.13 an hour, according to the Milwaukee County Parks website.

For more information on becoming a lifeguard in Milwaukee County:

You can find more information on becoming a lifeguard on the Milwaukee County Parks website here.

Claire Reid and Vanessa Swales contributed to this report.

More: Milwaukee County Parks is offering free lifeguard training