DETROIT – Lifeguards are the alert eyes covering swimmers and actions around every public pool in Detroit.
There is a push to hire more lifeguards at facilities across the city.
“If you’re able-bodied to do it, we’re welcoming anybody,” said Michael Williams, Detroit General Services Department Recreation Division Manager.
Williams rose through the ranks after starting out as a lifeguard in his community.
“There’s a sense of comfort in knowing that somebody’s there to look over you because you never know what could happen when you’re in the water,” Williams said.
According to staff, the city of Detroit is at a point where more trained lifeguards are needed across its facilities.
“Because we’re so low on lifeguards, everybody is working eight-hour shifts,” Williams said.
Lifeguards are needed year-round. Shortage, at any time, could potentially mean reduced pool hours, even closures, at some sites. It’s not something the city nor its staff want to do.
Williams said, “Not at all. The fact that we’ve had to do it has really put a strain on the community as a whole in regard to having that access during that time frame. Because we only have so many lifeguards, we had to condense hours at some locations.”
Training classes are underway for lifeguards ages 18 and up and junior lifeguards ages 16 and 17. Training is a 10-week process.
Participants must be able to complete various tasks, including a 200-yard front crawl and 100-yard breaststroke. You must swim 20 yards, retrieve a brick, and return it with both hands.
Participants must also tread water for two minutes using their legs, among other requirements.
“The training is free itself,” Williams said. “The caveat to that is, the city has chosen to say, if you can complete a certain amount of skills during the training time to show your training, we will hire you.”
Williams believes becoming a lifeguard is beneficial, not only for the participant.
“It’s fulfilling,” Williams said. “Just to know that you’re there to take care of the community.”
The next round of Detroit General Services Department Parks and Recreation Division Lifeguard Training sessions begins March 19 and runs until June 1, 2024.
The training sessions will be held at the following locations:
Adams Butzel Recreation Center
10500 Lyndon
Detroit, MI 48238
(3113) 628-0990
Fridays 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturdays 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Northwest Activity Center
18100 Meyers Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235
(313) 578-7500
Fridays 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Saturdays 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Heilmann Recreation Center
19601 Crusade
Detroit, MI 48205
(313) 224-9334
Tuesdays 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Thursdays 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Patton Recreation Center
2301 Woodmere
Detroit, MI 48209
Thursdays 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturdays 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.