AUDIO: What Phoenix is doing to make sure pools have enough lifeguards this summer

by Adnan Alam
  • Slug: Lifeguard shortage
  • Runtime: 1:42
  • Downloadable audio here. (Note: Some web browsers may not support media download)

WITH SUMMER QUICKLY APPROACHING… PHOENIX  STILL NEEDS HUNDREDS OF LIFEGUARDS. LAST SUMMER THE CITY  COULDN’T OPEN ALL OF ITS POOLS BECAUSE OF A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS … CRONKITE NEWS’S MOLLY HUDSON EXPLAINS WHAT THE CITY IS TRYING TO DO TO GET LIFEGUARDS TRAINED..  

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<sot BECKY HULETT/AQUATICS SUPERVISOR, CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION/runs :07 hits xx-xx >

“Being a lifeguard is a job that you look back on and say… that was the best job I ever had.”

THAT’S BECKY HULETT, WHO USED TO BE A LIFEGUARD. NOW SHE’S  THE AQUATICS SUPERVISOR FOR THE CITY OF PHOENIX… SHE SAYS HAVING THE CITIES 29 POOLS OPEN FOR THE SUMMER ENSURES ACCESS TO SWIM LESSONS AND WATER SAFETY EDUCATION. 

<sot BECKY HULETT/AQUATICS SUPERVISOR, CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION/runs :07 hits xx-xx >

“One of our missions in the City of Phoenix, is to reduce that drowning rate, so that impact will be felt across the community.” 

THE CITY WANTS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO POOLS CLOSE TO HOME…  SO HULETT SAYS THE PARKS DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO GET LIFEGUARDS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED. 

<sot BECKY HULETT/AQUATICS SUPERVISOR, CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION/runs :07 hits xx-xx >

“You have to get certified in a lifeguard certification which includes the lifeguard skills portion of it as well as CPR, AED for the professional rescuer which is basic life support, it also includes first aid and bloodborne pathogen certification.” 

IN ADDITION TO THE HOURLY PAY… OF JUST OVER 14 DOLLARS AN HOUR… THE CITY ANNOUNCED A 25 HUNDRED DOLLAR INCENTIVE TO REIMBURSE PEOPLE FOR THE COST AND TIME OF LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION. THIS MAKES THE HOURLY PAY ABOUT TWENTY ONE DOLLARS AND HOUR. AGAIN, HERE’S  HULETT. 

<sot BECKY HULETT/AQUATICS SUPERVISOR, CITY OF PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION/runs :07 hits xx-xx >

“We are offering certification courses at a reduced rate of twenty dollars for the class instead of 85 dollars.” 

CERTIFICATION IS A SERIES OF FIVE CLASSES… CANDIDATES MUST PASS THE FIRST CLASS BEFORE MOVING ON TO THE OTHERS.       

THE INITIAL CLASS REQUIRES 300 YARDS OF CONTINUOUS SWIMMING. TREADING WATER FOR ONE MINUTE WITHOUT USING YOUR HANDS AND RETRIEVING A 10 POUND BRICK FROM THE BOTTOM OF A 12 FOOT POOL. 

MOLLY HUDSON, CRONKITE NEWS.

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YOU MUST BE 15 YEARS OLD TO BECOME A LIFEGUARD… FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY VISIT PHOENIX -DOT- GOV SLASH LIFEGUARD.