NYC struggles to survive national lifeguard shortage of summer 2022
could close down due to a shortage of lifeguards this summer, New York City is entering the same uncharted waters for the warm-weather season.“Like the entire country, it’s been a challenge recruiting enough qualified people who can pass the NYC Lifeguard requirements, and pandemic impacts on recruitment continue,” NYC Parks spokesperson Crystal Howard told The Post, adding “at this time we plan to have all pools open.”However, an insider familiar with the situation confirmed to The Post that NYC, like in most recent years, is seeing fewer and fewer lifeguards looking out for the swimming public up in their towers.The city will also have a more clear tally for its amount of lifeguards by the Fourth of July weekend when training is complete, the source added. At that time, NYC waters will be staffed accordingly off that lower-than-prior number.Going off a daily headcount basis this summer, the department will also need to adopt flexibility when it comes to opening sections of beaches and pools.