QUESTION
What efforts are being made to address the lifeguard shortage and ensure adequate staffing at NYC pools and beaches?
3:36:00
·
102 sec
The Parks Commissioner explains that NYC is experiencing a national lifeguard shortage but has been able to open all pools and beaches so far.
- Lifeguard salaries have been increased to $22 per hour to be competitive.
- A $1,000 retention bonus is offered for returning lifeguards.
- Training and qualification processes have been streamlined to make it easier to become a lifeguard.
- More training sites have been opened to attract new recruits.
- Despite these efforts, hiring challenges remain due to the changed job market.
Shekar Krishnan
3:36:00
Do you think more resources for the Parks department would help ensure that we have lifeguards to hire?
Sue Donoghue
3:36:06
Thank you.
3:36:07
Counseling over for the question, and As I said earlier, we're really proud of the work and the recruitment that has gone on.
3:36:16
You know, this is a national issue We're not alone in facing a lifeguard shortage.
3:36:20
It's happened in municipalities across the city, and we're really proud of the fact that versus other cities, we've actually been able to open all of our pools and beaches, and we anticipate we will do that again this year.
3:36:33
It's more of a hiring challenge.
3:36:34
And despite all of the good work, there's been a significant change and just the workforce.
3:36:40
But we're doing all we can to address that, including, as I said, you know, when I was here last time, we're really pleased to negotiate a new salary for the life garage up to $22 an hour, making us competitive with the state level.
3:36:55
There's also a $1000 retention bonus for those we turning.
3:37:00
So there's been a good deal done to both incentivize, returning lifeguards, bringing new ones, and commissioned right, Ricus Rosa, has worked really hard on making it.
3:37:13
So it's as easy as possible to train for it to be ready for passing the qualifying tests, taking the training, making more sites available.
3:37:24
So, extends amount of work that has been done so that we are seeing increases, especially in the area of new recruits, which is what we need.
3:37:33
But we are dealing with a national crisis and just a very different and challenging hiring environment, particularly for this group of workers.
Shekar Krishnan
3:37:42
Understood.