Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

lifeguards-Dickinson-pool

Full Text:

Lifeguard Shortage? Not In Newtown

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Dickinson Park swimming pool will open its doors for the first time on

Saturday at 10 am. And unlike many public pools across the country, there will

be no shortage of lifeguards on duty.

In certain parts of the United States, there is a critical shortage of

lifeguards that could put the safety of swimmers at risk in pools and beaches.

However, Newtown is an exception. In all, 21 lifeguards will staff Newtown's

two public pools this summer, with plenty of substitutes waiting in the wings.

"We're very fortunate here because we're capable of offering lifeguard

certification courses at the high school," Parks & Recreation Director Barbara

Kasbarian said.

In Massachusetts, as of earlier this month, only 65 percent of the lifeguard

openings had been filled. The reason, according to a recent CNN report, is

that lifeguard training can be both demanding and expensive. What lies at the

end of the tunnel is nothing more than a low-paying job. There are exceptions,

though. In places like Santa Monica, California, lifeguarding is a career and

the pay is $18 per hour.

In Newtown, lifeguarding is a summer job for either high school or college

students.

Heading this year's staff at Dickinson Park is Heather Martins, who knows a

thing or two about lifeguarding. She comes from a long line of Martins

lifeguards who have captained the Dickinson crew. First there was Ray, then

there was Sean, now it's Heather's turn. She has been the number two life

guard for the past couple of years.

Heather, a 1996 Newtown High School graduate, recently completed her junior

year at the University of Connecticut. Her assistant this year is Ryan Loring.

Treadwell Park has been open since May 29 (the day before Memorial Day). And

so far, there have been some huge crowds as temperatures have since soared

into the high 90s.

Christine Foster is Treadwell's head lifeguard for the second straight year.

Previous to that she served as an assistant. Unlike the vastness of the

Dickinson Park pool, Treadwell's pool is much smaller. Easier to guard, you

may think. Not when more than 100 children and adults fill the pool on sultry

days. It can create tense situations for the eyes in the chairs.

Christine, also a 1996 graduate, will be a senior at Marist College in the

fall. Her assistant this year is Pat Reilly.

With 14 years of experience between them, both Heather and Christine know the

water can be a fun but a potentially dangerous place. This summer -- sitting

in their perches nearly 10 feet in the air -- Newtown's head lifeguards plan

to make sure every inch of their respective pools is monitored.

Mrs Kasbarian said Newtown's swimmers are in good hands as long as Heather and

Christine are in charge.

"They're both very responsible and very reliable. They're good leaders. The

lifeguards all look up to them," Mr Kasbarian said.

Every summer brings its share of "99s" -- a code called when a lifeguard is

approached by a frantic parent who cannot find a child. That's when Heather or

Christine will blow their whistles to start a well-planned rescue drill. Not a

minute is wasted as the pool is emptied and a search is conducted. Of course,

junior is usually spotted over by the sand box -- the only place mom or dad

forgot to look. The lifeguards have to be prepared for a true rescue, however,

and they are constantly honing their skills.