Lifeguards around the Big Apple fear shrinkage this summer – of their corps numbers.
As one-third of pools and beaches across the United States could shut down due to a shortage of lifeguards this summer, New York City is heading into the same unknown waters for the hot weather season.
“Like the entire country, it has been a challenge to recruit enough qualified people to meet the NYC Lifeguard requirements, and the pandemic consequences for recruitment continue,” NYC Park spokesman Crystal Howard told The Post, adding “at present we plan to have all pools open. “
However, the national shortage could prevent about a third of the 309,000 community pools across the country from opening, according to the American Lifeguard Association.
An insider familiar with the situation confirmed to The Post that NYC, as in recent years, sees fewer and fewer lifeguards keeping an eye on the swimming public up in their towers.
The city will also have a clearer number for its amount of lifeguards before the Fourth of July weekend, when training is complete, the source added. At that time, NYC waters will be manned accordingly from the lower number than before.
When it comes to the daily number of employees this summer, the department must also adapt to flexibility when it comes to opening sections of beaches and pools. It’s beyond finding out what aquatic programs are possible to host, the deep diver added.
“We know New Yorkers depend on our pools and beaches in the summer – and we remain committed to ensuring our facilities are open and usable,” Howard said.
This also comes in the wake of a report from the Department of Investigation citing “13 recommendations to address deficiencies in the management and operation of the Lifeguard Division,” the city reported.
The baker’s dozen proposed changes focus on improving the corps’ disciplinary system to crack down on rule-breaking lifeguards. The DOI recommended implementing “middle managers” to “strengthen supervision” for parts of the division.
Although the DOI published its hot water report in December, none of the proposals have been fully implemented yet, according to the business.
“We continue to work with the DOI to address the report’s recommendations,” Howard told the city.
