Amid the national lifeguard shortage Hennepin County is investing in recruiting more lifeguards to man it's beaches and pools.
County coordinator for youth sports Anna Carpenter says although the current number of lifeguards is still lacking there is a plan in place to make improvements.
"The board of commissioners voted to expand the youth activities grants program to include funding for lifeguard services," says Carpenter.
Carpenter says these funds will be an important part of providing better wages and services to future lifeguards.
"We're hoping that that these grant funds will not only get more lifeguards out there at the beaches and pools this summer, but also that those jurisdictions will be able to provide the training needed," Carpenter explains.
Hennepin County has committed to spending nearly $1 million over the next three years to revive it's lifeguard staff.
The shortage also continues to be a national problem, with estimates that half of the nation's pools are remaining closed due to a lack of lifeguards. Of the nation's 309,000 public pools, around half are forced to close their doors or reduce hours, according to the American Lifeguard Association. It's not the first year this has happened but seems to be the worst shortage on record.
A lack of qualified applicants and rigorous testing makes it difficult to hire lifeguards according to the American Lifeguard Association.
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