The Bradford Family YMCA is offering a lifeguarding class in hopes of addressing a lifeguard shortage at Barcroft Pool at Callahan Park in Bradford.
Earlier this week, Bradford officials announced that the pool would be open a week later rather than June 9, citing a lack of lifeguards, something unprecedented for the city.
The Y will offer an American Red Cross lifeguarding class starting Monday through June 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. YMCA of the Twin Tiers Senior Aquatics Director Taylor Lubi, who has more than 10 years of lifeguard instruction, will lead the course.
Typically, 15 to 20 young people are certified to be lifeguards at the local pool, city administrator Teri Cannon said in a brief release earlier this week. This year, things are different. As of Wednesday morning, the city had six lifeguards for the swimming season.
Eight lifeguards are needed for the pool to be open — one near the diving board, one at the deep end, one at the line where the floor of the pool changes from about 5 feet to 3 feet, one for the slide pool, one at the bottom of the slide to make sure children are tall enough, another at the top of the slide to make sure people go down sitting upright, one at the spray pad and one at the concession stand.
In fact, on a hot day the pool could have 150 to 200 people, and a slow day could bring 50 people. The pool has a deep end of 13 feet, a diving board, a slide and a slide pool and a splash pad.
“Because of the shortage of positions locally, the YMCA is offering a discounted rate for those who have valid applications in at Callahan Park or any other local facility with lifeguarding needs awaiting certification,” Y officials said in a prepared statement.
Participants in the Y class must be at least 15 years old and be able to pass prerequisites.
“Training new lifeguards to teach and teaching individuals how to swim with our year-round swim lessons is one of the ways we are being proactive in ensuring pools, including ours, are safe throughout the region,” said YMCA Executive Director Brent Raabe.
Lubi called the lifeguarding courses offered at the Y vital to the community.
“Lifeguards have such an important role and proper training is a must for all staff working at aquatic facilities,” he said. “It is often the first job for many of the participants in the classes and with such a young demographic working, great aquatic detail and focus is needed.”
After completing the class, participants will be certified in American Red Cross lifeguarding, CPR for the professional rescuer and health care providers, First Aid and waterfront lifeguarding for two years.
Individuals who want to take the class should contact the YMCA aquatics department at (814) 368-6101.
To be a lifeguard at Callahan Park, individuals need to complete a lifeguard course and be certified in AED, CPR and First Aid and must have security clearances.
Those interested in lifeguarding at the park who are certified should contact city’s human resources department at (814) 362-3884, ext. 125.
Cannon did not immediately return an email Friday seeking comment for this story.
