Media Release
Contact FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridgeton Recreation Dept.
(856) 453-1675
BRIDGETON
HOLDING LIFEGUARD INFO-RECRUITMENT JULY 18TH AT SUNSET LAKE
If you are 15 years of age or older and curious to see
what’s involved with being a lifeguard, then you will want to attend the July
18th Lifeguard Information and Recruitment Session at Sunset Lake in
Bridgeton City Park from 9:30am to 11:30am. The session is free and the only
requirement is to come in a bathing suit. The session, sponsored by the Red
Cross, will review what’s involved with being a lifeguard from required training
to the differences between pools and open water.
“I think being a lifeguard is great way for someone to
earn money and enjoy the outdoors. When young people and maybe those not quite
as young think about job opportunities, whether part-time or full-time, they hardly
ever think about being a lifeguard. Yet in New Jersey, there is a shortage of
trained lifeguards and they make pretty decent money” said Bridgeton Mayor
Albert Kelly.
What prompted Bridgeton’s July 18th
information and promotional session, in addition to a lack of general awareness
about employment opportunities for lifeguards, is the presence of Sunset Lake
and Bridgeton’s desire to open the lake to the public for swimming during the
summer.
“We’ve been very focused on Sunset Lake over the past few
years. Initially it was filling the lake after the 2011 storm that breached the
raceway and caused the lake to be empty for a few years. Once filled, we’ve
been focusing on improving water quality and we’ve made headway. Now, it’s
making sure we have the right number of trained lifeguards to protect public
safety” Kelly said.
While efforts at hiring lifeguards begin relatively soon
after the New Year, usually while it’s still cold out, it’s been difficult
because those with the required credentials are either high school or college
students who can’t commit until the
school semester ends, lack transportation to travel to work, or don’t have the
necessary certifications to work as a lifeguard.
The goal of Bridgeton’s information and promotional
session is to find out who might be interested locally and then guiding them
through the process of getting trained and certified to work as a lifeguard at
Sunset Lake. The minimum number of lifeguards for swimming at the lake on a
given day is three.
“This could be a great summer opportunity to for someone
and I hope to see a lot of people come out on July 18th to see if being a
lifeguard is for them. People can call our Recreation Office at (856) 453-1675
to find out more information” said Kelly.”
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