Moving the city’s lifeguard unit to the FDNY would require the support of elected officials but could solve several problems the lifesaving service faces, according to the Independent Budget Office. Lifeguards are currently employed by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation to work at 65 pools and 14 miles of beaches across the city.
Fewer than 100 work the entire year but throughout the spring the department ramps up its hiring in the hopes of having around 1,000 lifeguards for the peak season in July. Despite having 924 lifeguards in July of this year — the most since 2021 — seven people drowned off the city’s shorelines this summer, causing the City Council, and concerned citizens, to explore ways to enhance safety on the city’s beaches.
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