China News Service, June 22. According to the US "World Journal" report, the shortage of lifeguards in Chicago, the United States is getting worse. The Chicago Park Service recently announced that the existing number of lifeguards is only enough to run the mission on the Chicago Lake Beach. 77 other outdoor and urban swimming pools were monitored, so the opening time of the swimming pool originally scheduled for June 24 was temporarily postponed to July 5.

Among them, the indoor swimming pool of the Zuliang Stadium in Tan Jiping Park in Chinatown was also affected. The swimming pool has been closed since the 19th and is expected to reopen after Labor Day.

　　To attract more seasonal and long-term lifeguards, the Chicago Park Service has increased cash bonuses and other incentives when recruiting lifeguards, and has even relaxed requirements on where applicants live.

The current hourly wage for lifeguards in the Chicago area is $15.88.

But the bonus for lifeguards would bring the hourly wage to $17.08, according to the Park Service's website.

　　In addition to bonuses for new hires, other incentives include: bonuses for current employees who recommend lifeguard candidates; seasonal lifeguards the opportunity to become permanent employees after the summer season, and a temporary waiver of seasonal lifeguards City residency requirements to attract qualified applicants from adjacent suburbs.

To apply to become a lifeguard, you must be at least 16 years old, take an American Red Cross lifeguard training course, and be fully vaccinated.

　　However, at this stage, the vacancy rate of the number of lifeguards needed during the summer in Chicago is still as high as 91%, and the vacancy rate of lifeguard positions for the whole year is also 73%.

　　"We are looking for ways to recruit lifeguards every day, but it will take time to complete the testing and certification of these personnel, and we will continue to assess the number of existing staff over the next week to determine if any," Park Service spokeswoman Michelle Lemons said. The actual operating plan of the summer swimming pool.”

　　Rosa Escareno, director of the Park Service, said that the bureau will not give up its efforts to open the swimming pool. The most urgent thing at present is to find a lifeguard. She also admitted that it is still unknown whether the swimming pool can be opened in the summer. Because lifeguards are now prioritized on duty on the beach, "because that's where most people go."

　　The Zuliang Gymnasium indoor swimming pool in Chinatown has long announced that it will be closed from the 19th, and informed the public that it is expected to resume use after Labor Day. Many Chinese people who regularly swim there every week are very concerned about this. Feeling inconvenient, "the current water temperature in Lake Michigan is still low, and there is also a need for transportation to swim in the lake, but the swimming pool has been closed, which is very disappointing."

(Huang Huiling)