More lifeguards hired for this summer at state facilities, DCR says
Grace Gilson | The Boston Globe | May 28, 2022
After Massachusetts last summer struggled with a shortage of lifeguards, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation this summer is in a better position to staff its beaches, pools, and other swimming facilities.
The state has 623 lifeguards already hired this summer, compared to 580employed last summer, according to the department.
Officials say an increase in hourly pay and a bonus program, along with free lifeguard training, helped to draw more applicants for this season, which starts over the Memorial Day weekend.
“We’ve had a very good response rate and universe of applicants and that is because we’ve been working on recruitment basically since the end of last summer,” said Stephanie Cooper, the acting commissioner of DCR.
Cooper said DCR looked into lifeguard recruitment programs around the country. An increase in funding from the Baker administration allowed the hourly pay rate to increase from $20 to $21 last summer, to $21 to $26 per hour, depending on a lifeguard’s level of training.
They also created $500 incentives for applicants who signed on in March and $500 for lifeguard s who will work until the last day of the season. DCR also partnered with the American Red Cross and the YMCA to offer free lifeguard training.
Cooper said these incentives and being “really aggressive on recruitment” has put them in a good place for this summer in regards to lifeguard coverage.
Governor Charlie Baker and other state officials held a news conference in Milton last week to announce the return of the DCR’s summer recreational facilities that opened on Saturday.
DCR manages 81public swimming areas. Of those, 16 will have lifeguards starting this weekend. That number will steadily grow until 29 are guarded by the peak summer season, officials said.
The remaining properties are not guarded and people swim at their own risk. Baker and others urged the public to take precaution when in or around pools and beaches this season.
To read the full story, click here
If you are interested in becoming a lifeguard, visit DCR’s Lifeguarding website here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/dcr-lifeguarding.