The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is taking proactive measures to address the nationwide lifeguard shortage by offering free American Red Cross certification courses. The department plans to hire 75 lifeguards this summer to ensure the safety of swimmers at the city's three public pools.
In an effort to reduce barriers to becoming a certified lifeguard, the city is offering free certification courses to applicants who are not already certified. The American Red Cross certification, which is valid for two years and has a value of $275, will be provided at no cost to eligible participants.
"To open the doors to a new segment of potential lifeguards who may not have had the means to apply in the past, we are offering free lifeguard certification," said Parks and Recreation Director David Marquardt.
To be eligible for the free certification, participants must successfully pass the two to three-day courses and commit to working as a lifeguard at one of the city's three public pools at Briggs, Martin Luther King, and Richmond Park for the 2024 pool season. Lifeguards will be compensated with a starting wage of $15 per hour.
This initiative by the City of Grand Rapids has proven successful in the past. Despite the nationwide lifeguard shortage since 2020, the city has been able to fully staff its pools without disruption to operations.
"By offering free lifeguard certification, we're able to attract individuals who may have been deterred by the cost of certification. This ensures that our pools are properly staffed to maintain the safety of our community members," Marquardt added.
Prospective lifeguards, who must be 15 years old or older, are required to pre-apply in order to be eligible for the certification courses. Applications can be submitted online, and an aquatics manager will work with applicants to schedule a certification course if needed.
The City of Grand Rapids is leading the way in addressing the nationwide lifeguard shortage by offering free certification courses to aspiring lifeguards. By removing the financial burden of certification, the city is able to attract a wider pool of potential lifeguards and ensure the safety of its residents and visitors.
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