Central Arkansas Pools Facing Lifeguard Shortage
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
The pool of Arkansas lifeguards this summer is becoming more shallow.
The lack of lifeguards have hit Central Arkansas pools so hard, officials are changing schedules and launching recruitment drives.
"We used to have anywhere from 20 -25 guards who would come in and take our courses and sign up to work at our facility," says Fina Bartlett, an assistant director at War Memorial Fitness Center.
"Now we have about 13 and two potential hires we`re looking at," she says.
Bartlett says would-be lifeguards haven`t made the cut when it comes to the written and physical tests. Others cite the low pay as the cause for the decline.
Bartlett says she changed schedules to ensure someone is present at the pool at all times. A recruitment drive is currently underway.
