Great Lakes Wire

City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on Feb 1.

The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is reducing barriers to becoming a certified lifeguard by hosting three American Red Cross courses for ages 15 and up. The certification–which is valid for two years–has a value of $250. Courses are planned for February, March and April.

To be eligible for the free certification, participants who successfully pass the course must work as a lifeguard at one of the City’s three public pools at Briggs, Martin Luther King, and Richmond Park for the 2022 pool season. The three-day courses will be held at the Grand Rapids Kroc Center (2500 S. Division Ave.) on the following days and times:

• Feb. 25 from 4 to 8 p.m., Feb. 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• March 18 from 4 to 8 p.m., March 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 20 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• April 22 from 4 to 8 p.m., April 23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and April 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to free certification, Parks and Recreation is also raising the starting wage for lifeguards from $11.25 to $14 per hour. Parks and Recreation director David Marquardt said the free certification courses and wage increase are both part of the City’s efforts to recruit seasonal workers in a more equitable way.

“The cost of taking a test or certification should never be the reason someone can’t become a lifeguard at one of our pools,” Marquardt said. “We want to employ lifeguards who are passionate about serving our community, no matter their current financial circumstances.”

Preregistration is required for the certification courses. All registered participants will need to complete online pre-course work before attending class. Participants can register online HERE.

Original source can be found here.