Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown, joined by the City of Buffalo Division of Parks and Recreation, as well as the Police Athletic League of Buffalo, issued a reminder today, encouraging City youth to sign up now for the next round of Lifeguard Certification Training. It is scheduled to start on Saturday, March 19, at the Cazenovia Park Pool, located at 626 Abbott Road. The course will continue on the two following weekends in a continued effort to train and hire 100 lifeguards to staff the City’s outdoor pools this summer.
“Summer will be here before we know it and we’re doing everything we can to get ahead of a potential lifeguard shortage, that could impact the City of Buffalo and municipalities across the U.S.,” Mayor Brown said. “I thank the young people who have already stepped up, took and passed the lifeguard certification course and will soon be hired as City of Buffalo lifeguards this summer. We are proud of your commitment to our community by helping us staff our pools.
The training will take place on three consecutive weekends, with classes on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20, Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, with a final session on Saturday, April 2. All sessions run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
“We are confident the condensed three weekend schedule will allow more trainees to participate. Our goal is to train and hire 100 young people, ages 16-21, to staff the City’s 10 outdoor pools, earning $16 an hour,” Mayor Brown added.
The City held its first round of lifeguard training during last month’s Buffalo Public Schools winter break. That week-long session turned out 12 new certified lifeguards.
Lifeguard trainees must be:
- Able to swim with proficiency
- At least 16 years old
- Attendance for all five sessions is MANDATORY
Preference will be given to youth who reside in the City of Buffalo and attend a Buffalo Public School. Youth who are interested in participating in the training class, or those interested in being a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Instructor, should visit www.buffalopal.com to register and get additional information on the certification course. Those who hold Red Cross lifeguard certification can apply to be a lifeguard on the City’s website: www.buffalony.gov/jobs.aspx.
