Before it's time to open up Madison's public beaches, the city needs to shore up lifeguards to work this season. So far the parks division has come up about ten short.
The city's recreation supervisor says the city is two months into hiring and training people for lifeguard duty. He says a number of college students who graduated this year, as well as more aggressive hiring by water parks left the city with openings.
Fritz Kroncke from Madison City Parks says, "We've always been sort of a leader in pay and been able to grab the best lifeguards and so we have had a real good program. Now some of the other places take away from us."
The shortage of lifeguards is not expected to affect the opening dates for beaches. Anyone interested in applying is expected to take a physical and written exam based on the guidelines established by the American Red Cross. The job pays roughly $11 an hour.
