May 8, 2003
LOCAL RED CROSS ASSISTING AREA POOLS, HOSTS LIFEGUARD TRAINING STARTING TONIGHT
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| PITTSBURGH, PA – In an attempt to adequately staff city and county public swimming pools this summer, the local American Red Cross chapter is seeking swimmers interested in becoming summer lifeguards to go through its certification courses this weekend and next weekend.
The swimmers that successfully complete Red Cross's "Aquatic School" over the next two weekends will have the proper certification to apply for summer lifeguard positions - jobs the Red Cross says seem plentiful.
"We get inquiries from employers looking for lifeguard candidates on a regular basis. We're not an employment agency, but we do have a vested interest in making sure that we're filling a community need in addition to providing important lifesaving training to our local citizens," says Ann Walton, Director of Health and Safety at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross.
One employer, Clarence Hopson, is Deputy Director of Recreation for the Allegheny County Department of Public Works/Parks Division, which operates pools in North Park, South Park, Boyce Park and Settler’s Cabin. Hopson says that although the pools could be staffed now, they are still at a bare minimum.
“Allegheny County can always use more lifeguards,” said Hopson. “During the summer months our employees, usually teenagers, are consistently taking time off for school-related activities and family vacations.”
Hopson also noted that the pools typically have to cut hours at the end of the season, due to an influx on employees leaving for school.
The American Red Cross Aquatic School will be held over two long weekends, starting this Thursday, May 8, at University of Pittsburgh Trees Hall pool in Oakland. There are still openings. To register or for more information, please call the Red Cross at 412-263-3106 or visit the Aquatic School here.
The American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter is dedicated to keeping the families and communities of Allegheny and Washington Counties safe. A humanitarian service organization currently servicing more than 1.5 million people, the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 300 disasters and sends nearly 1,000 emergency messages to U.S. service members separated from loved ones. The American Red Cross trains more than 45,000 people in vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter also locally supports senior volunteer services like the Foster Grandparent Program and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. To make a donation of time or treasure, contact the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter by phone at (412) 263-3100, by mail at 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222 or online at swpa.redcross.org.
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