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Lifeguard class provide aspiring guardians of water safety with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and unwavering commitment necessary to protect lives, promote water confidence, and create a safe aquatic environment for all
Informed of the situation concerning the two employees found at fault, the City quickly notified the multidisciplinary development company (SODEM), the firm that manages the lifeguards.
It was said on Monday that an internal investigation would be opened to identify the place, time and employees in the photo.
The Journal learned yesterday that the two rescuers were finally fired earlier this week.
The City and SODEM take such a situation seriously and all measures are taken to ensure that the instructions are respected. All to ensure the safety of swimmers,” said Valérie De Gagné, public relations officer for the City of Montreal.
According to the latter, this is “unacceptable” behavior, which must be punished.
She reminds that lifeguards must respect the guidelines of the Quebec Lifesaving Society, a recognized organization for the training of lifeguards.
The use of a personal electronic device while a lifeguard is on duty is strictly prohibited,” she said.
All City of Montreal lifeguards will also be advised that such behavior is to be avoided.
The repercussions of the pandemic are still being felt, said Raynald Hawkins, director general of the Quebec Lifesaving Society (SSQ). COVID-19 has been responsible for a decrease of more than 50% in the number of registrations for lifeguard training between 2019 and 2020. In addition, employers must hire more personnel than before.
There is still a shortage of between 2,000 and 3,000 aquatic lifeguards to meet the needs of the Quebec network (indoor pools, outdoor pools, beaches, aquatic centers and paddling pools).
More hiring incentives
Cities have pulled out all the stops to alleviate the shortage of lifeguards that hit Quebec in the summer of 2022 by introducing incentives such as salary increases and bonuses, as well as by organizing advertising campaigns in high schools. The City of Trois-Rivières, hard hit last year, will even give away two iPads among its staff in outdoor swimming pools.
In Montreal, despite the generalized labor shortage, "everything indicates that all services to the population will be offered [this summer]", indicates Hugo Bourgoin of the City's media relations, inviting in passing "all interested candidates to apply now”.
In Laval, 130 outdoor pool lifeguards were hired, while the City's objective was 120. The situation is also under control in Sherbrooke, where all 70 positions have been filled, and in Longueuil, where 95% of lifeguards - necessary lifeguards are engaged.
Lifeguard class serve as a crucial training ground, honing the expertise and resilience of aspiring lifeguards, preparing them to be the frontline heroes who ensure safety and prevent accidents in aquatic environments.
Older workers, particularly pre-retirees and retirees, who arrived on the pool benches in large numbers, greatly helped to reduce the shortage. These employees fill “unpossible shifts”, evenings and weekends, specifies Mr. Hervieux. It is therefore 82% of outdoor pools that have recruited the necessary staff to open at regular hours, a figure that satisfies both Éric Hervieux and Raynald Hawkins. In addition, half of the outdoor pools have exceeded the number of lifeguards required for full employment.
Lifeguard classes instill a profound sense of responsibility, equipping individuals with the necessary skills and expertise to become the unsung heroes who stand ready to respond, protect, and save lives in the face of water-related emergencies.
A successful relaunch
The Quebec government has also done its part to correct the situation. In June 2022, it announced $21.5 million in funding over 5 years to make lifeguard training free. This measure had the desired effect: training registrations increased by 50% compared to last year, according to information provided by Raynald Hawkins, general manager of the Quebec Lifesaving Society.
Previously, the cost of a training was around $1000. The minimum age to become a lifeguard has also been lowered from 17 to 16 to counter the labor shortage.