BUFFALO, N.Y. — The City of Buffalo is pulling out all the tactics to get folks interested in becoming a lifeguard.
That includes free lifeguard and CPR training for city residents who are 16 to 21 years old, plus a $525 stipend for those who complete the training and get hired. Non-city residents will have to pay $250 to register for training or $75 for recertification.
The Red Cross will handle the training. The first session will begin on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Cazenovia Pool on Abbott Road. The second session wraps up in March.
The early push to hire comes after the city was forced to close outdoor pools in the past because of a lifeguard shortage. This year they hope that won't be the case.
"We actually have enough guards to reopen the three pools we had open last year. We are looking to get more guards to open up Houghton and JFK pools, as well as keep Caz and Lovejoy pools open," Samuel Horsene said.
Horsene is the pool supervisor for the City of Buffalo pools.
2 On Your Side's Keelin Berrian met with local lifeguard Daniel Cordero to talk about what comes with lifeguarding. We did our interview inside the Cazenovia Pool.
Keelin: "Tell me some common misconceptions people may have about lifeguarding?"
Daniel: "They think we don't do much because we're always on deck watching, but we are doing something. We're watching people- preventing people from drowning."
Cordero has been a lifeguard for the City of Buffalo for three years.
"I definitely love it. It's like a team here. A work family is what I like to say. I enjoy it. It's good hours. I get paid a lot, believe it or not. I get $20 an hour," Cordero said.
The pay is what he uses to wade people into the job.
Keelin: "Why do you feel like there's so much of a shortage?"
Daniel: "I don't know. I don't understand it. It's a fun job, and it's a great job to hit the ground running."
Some outdoor pools were closed last Summer because of a lifeguard shortage. There were three pools open in the area. This year, they're aiming to get Houghten and JFK Pools open. Right now, they have 59 lifeguards, 43 returning and 16 newly certified, with a goal of 100 guards by the Summer.
Overall, 29 people have already signed up to complete their training sessions.