Why is there a shortage of lifeguards this summer?

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

A group of lifeguards are standing in a line with their packs towards the camera. "Lifeguard" is printed on their swimsuits.

Airdate: June 2, 2022

Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer. It’s when many public swimming pools and beaches open. A rare late-May heat wave helped to remind us there is a lot of hot weather on the way.

However, along with so many other things, there is a shortage of lifeguards.

The American Lifeguard Association estimates a third of the nation’s public pools may be closed this summer because there aren’t enough lifeguards. Several in Pennsylvania have already announced they won’t open this summer. There could be fewer beaches covered by lifeguards too.

Why are there so few lifeguards this year and what impact could the shortage have?

Thursday’s Smart Talk focuses on the lifeguard shortage with an assistant director of the Bureau of State Parks in the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.