ANNUAL REPORT 2024 LIFEGUARDSERVICES
LETTER FROMTHEMANAGER
PETE DEQUINCY
Lifeguard Services Manager
Our Bay Adventure Camp at Crown Beach expanded in participation as did our partnerships within the community Our mission with Bay Adventure is to provide the participants with water safety skills that can be applied to all bodies of water, emphasize the importance of getting outside, and empower them in becoming the future stewards of our environment Participation numbers increased in our “Vamos a Aprender” (Let’s Learn”) program, our Aquatic Adventure Camp, and our free swim lesson program at Cull Canyon and Don Castro
Lifeguard Services had many successes in 2024 Roberts Pool re-opened after renovations were completed, and we provided recreational swimming and aquatic programming there Our partnerships with Antioch Unified School District and Ambrose Recreation and Park District continue to strengthen as we provided access to summer aquatic programming at Ambrose Aquatic Center, Antioch High and Deer Valley High. We followed up by providing over 1,000 students swim lessons during their fall and spring PE classes. We collaborated with regional high schools to develop student CPR instructors who then certified their student peers. So far, five high schools have partnered in this innovative program
Our lifeguards ensured that roughly 400,000 visitors at our swim facilities were safe in and around the water. In addition to keeping the public safe, we provide water safety education and skills that will support our community members wherever they travel.
ABOUTUS
MISSION
Lifeguard Services will strive to deliver the highest quality of lifeguarding and program instruction for the safety of park visitors engaged in aquatic activities at our swim facilities
CORE VALUES
Honesty: Be truthful and honest in all communication.
Integrity: Practice good judgement in all decisions; do the right thing even when no one is looking.
Respect: Treat all individuals the way you would like to be treated
Safety: Protect all swimmers with an unwavering dedication to patron surveillance.
Service: Provide the highest levels of courtesy, respect, customer service and emergency assistance to all park visitors
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
PERMANENT STAFFING
SEASONAL STAFFING
Lifeguard Services has eight permanent employees including the Lifeguard Services Manager This team is divided into two geographical regions, each overseeing recreational swimming operations and programming. 169
In 2024, Lifeguard Services hired 169 seasonal lifeguards. This was a 21% increase from 2023
STAFF STATISTICS
Worked more than 350 hours during the summer
PERSONNEL
FACILITIES
NORTHREGION: SOUTHREGION:
Castle Rock Pool
Crown Beach (Programs only)
Lake Anza
Lake Temescal
Roberts Pool
Deer Valley High School (Partnership site - Programs only)
Antioch High School (Partnership site - Programs only)
Ambrose Aquatic Center (Partnership site - Recreation
Swim and Programs)
Contra Loma Swim Lagoon remains closed.
Camp Arroyo (Group Use Only)
Del Valle East Beach
Del Valle West Beach
Don Castro Swim Lagoon
Cull Canyon Swim Lagoon
Shadow Cliffs Lake
Quarry Lakes
REGIONHIGHLIGHTS
We re-opened Roberts Pool and its swim lesson program. This provided three two-week sessions with eight days of lessons per session, allowing us to serve over 400 members of the public It is wonderful to see the public enjoying the new pool and programs while simultaneously gaining knowledge about water safety and reducing the risk of drownings in the two counties we serve.
NORTH
SOUTH
The North region had eight swim locations open. They also exponentially expanded its free and reduced-price programming at Crown Beach and the Antioch High Schools.
The South region experienced crowd levels exceeding pre-pandemic levels at all facilities Shadow Cliffs led with 117,000 swimmer visits, highlighting its popularity as an open water swim facility for Park District visitors.
In the South region, our lifeguards had the opportunity to participate in training with Livermore Pleasanton Fire, Alameda County Fire, and Hayward Fire that highlighted transition of care to Advanced Life Support Resources.
The 2024 lifeguard season ran from May 25 - September 15.
LIFEGUARDING
THEEASTBAYWAY:
HOW WE KEEPTHE PUBLIC SAFE
Lifeguard Services strives to identifythe victim, make the appropriate rescue, extricate the victim from the water and provide the appropriate care which can include ventilations, CPR, the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and orthe administration of oxygen in 90 seconds or less. This is for all bodies ofwaterwe guard: pools, artificial lagoons, lakes, waterfronts, and shoreline
Lifeguard Services practices proactive lifeguarding. Lifeguards identify, educate, and act on situations before the aquatic incident or emergency occurs. Preventative strategies include:
Multi-ZoneCoverage
Aswimareaisdividedintozonessolifeguardscaneffectivelysearchthewaterforaquatic emergencies.Eachzoneoverlapstoensuretheswimareahasnoblindspots.
ElevatedStations
Anelevatedplatformsuchasourtowersallowsthelifeguardtohaveabroadviewoftheirzone andanunobstructedviewofthepublic.
Sit-Stands-thelifeguardchangespositionevery5-minutesfromasittingtostandingposition whichdetersdistractionandkeepsthemfocused
WalkingPatrolStations
Supportstheelevatedstationsandtheyalsoprovideadditionalcoverageonhotdays,orwith groupvisits,andorincreasedpatronuse
FloatingStation
Anadditionalstationthatsupportstheelevatedandwalkingpatrolstations.Allowsthelifeguardto maketherescuefromthewaterwhenthereiscongestionsonshoreandintheshallowwaterfrom increasedpatronuse
EmergencyBack-upCoverage
Oneormorelifeguardswhoareactivelystagingtorespondtoemergenciesandsupporta lifeguardatastation.Theycanalsoeducatepatrons,providebasicfirstaid,andrespondtoland emergencies.Onslowdays,thislifeguardperformsswimtestsandsizesandassistspatronsin donninglifejackets
SwimTest
Thisstationtestspatronabilitytoswimeffectivelyforaccesstodeepwater(waterdepththatisabove chest-deeponapatron).Aswimtestisnecessarytoswimindeepwater.
LifeJacketLoanerStation
LifeguardServicesprovidesaproperlysizedlifejackettonon-swimmersandswimmerswith lowability.Lifeguardseducatepatronsthatalifejacketincreaseswatersafetybutisnota substituteforadultsupervision.
ChildSupervisionStation
Thisisawalkingpatrolstationthatidentifieschildrenthathavenoadultsupervisionpresentinthe wateroratthewater’sedge.Lifeguardsreunitethesechildrenwithaparentorguardianandeducate themontheimportanceofadultsupervision.
LIFEGUARDROTATION
Lifeguards rotate to a new station every 30 minutes to maintain focus and to deter complacency and fatigue. Lifeguards rotate from an elevated station to either a walking patrol station, an emergency back-up coverage role, a swim test station, a life jacket loaner station, or go on a break.
On hot days (over 85 degrees), holidays, orwhen handling group visits and or increased patron use, Lifeguard Services uses the following additional measures to maintain patron safety:
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie Rotation - each elevated station or lifeguard tower operates with its own floating/walking patrol station, emergency back-up coverage, and break positions This reduces a lengthy rotation.
Gate Closure - an agreementwith Park Operations and Lifeguard Services on the number of patrons allowed in facility This is to avoid overcrowding the facility and ensure water safety
Rotation Time Reduction - time is reduced from 30 minutes to 20 minutes at a defined station. This is to further reduce complacency and fatigue.
MULTI-ZONECOVERAGE EXAMPLE
Tower 1 Zone
Tower 2
Tower 2 Zone
Tower 1
GRANTS
Our Aquatic Adventure Camp has continued to provide fundamental lifesaving skills (swimming lessons twice a day, water safety awareness, and self-rescue techniques) to children with no swimming ability Our goal is to provide access to families within Hayward and unincorporated Ashland and familiarize them to aquatic recreation including boating, rafting, stand up paddle board, and water polo
Contra Loma - Swim Lesson and Junior Lifeguard Program
This grant allowed Lifeguard Services to provide equipment and support the programs at Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools Over 1,000 high school students were provided swim lessons in their PE Swim classes. Funding also provided necessary swim lesson resources to Ambrose Aquatic Center in Bay Point Additionally, 36 Dozier-Libbey Medical High School students trained to become CPR instructors, and they then trained and certified over 450 students in CPR, a critical skill in drowning prevention
Oakland Unified School District Swim Lessons
Funding was provided in 2024, and a new partnership with Oakla development.
Swim Lessons and Junior Guard Program
Known as “Camperships”, Lifeguard Services and the Regional Park Foundation have made efforts to expand access to unrepresented community members. This includes low income, single parent families, refugees, and unhoused families Our hard work paid off, not only was all funding used but additional funding was requested to provide over 270 weeks of Bay Adventure and Junior Lifeguard programming.
PARTNERSHIPS
Alameda Family Services
Our partnership with Alameda Family Services allowed Lifeguard Services to positively impact unrepresented community members within the city of Alameda (single parent families, refugees, and unhoused families) by allowing them to access Crown Beach’s Bay Adventure Camp Our expansion of services included training Alameda Family Services staff from all five care centers in CPR and first aid.
Alameda Point Collaborative
Alameda Point Collaborative provides resources and housing to low income and previously unhoused families within the city of Alameda and is located on the former Alameda Naval Air Station. Our partnership provided them with access to Crown Beach’s Bay Adventure program. Expansion of services included buses from the Parks Express program
Lincoln Square Recreation Center
Lincoln Square Recreation Center is located within Oakland’s Chinatown. This partnership allowed children to travel beyond the few blocks of their neighborhood and participate in the weeklong Bay Adventure Camp at Crown Beach. Participants utilized Alameda County Transit to travel to Crown Beach. Expansion of support included working with the Reservation Department in securing group camping at Garin Park.
Regional Center of the East Bay
Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB) has been serving families in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties who have a member with a developmental disability This is defined as an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other conditions closely related to an intellectual disability. Lifeguard Services partnered with RCEB’s subject matter experts to develop and pilot a water competency/swim lesson program at the newly renovated Roberts Pool The goal is providing water safety skills to support these families as they venture to other bodies of water within East Bay Regional Park District. Expansion of services included securing Regional Park Foundation memberships to families participating in the pilot program.
Ambrose Recreation and Park District
Lifeguard Services continues to provide staffing and services at Ambrose Aquatic Center in Bay Point with a focus on both recreational swimming and swim lessons.
Antioch Unified School District
Supporting a robust PE swimming program, Lifeguard Services also provides a Pool Adventure program during the summer at both Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools The partnership was also expanded to Dozier-Libbey Medical High School with the pilot Student CPR Instructor Program
City of Emeryville
Lifeguard Services partnered with the City of Emeryville to provide swim lessons within the Emeryville Unified School District. Over 700 swim lessons were provided to a mix of high school, middle school and elementary school students
Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP)
FFRP continues to provide career support to formerly incarcerated people in California’s Conservation Camps to pursue a career in the wildland and fire sector Lifeguard Services provides first aid training for these firefighters to advance in their firefighting careers.
Ongoing support and exchange of equipment, staff, training and in-service with our partners:
Albany Unified School District
City of Alameda
City of El Cerrito
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
City of Martinez
City of San Leandro
San Leandro Unified School District
Student CPR Instructors
Lifeguard Services worked with high schools to develop and certify students to become American Red Cross (ARC) CPR instructors who went on to certify their fellow students, parents, and teachers. The ARC verified this is the first program of its kind. Dozier-Libbey Medical High School in Antioch was the first to participate, followed by Foothill High School in Pleasanton, and Oakland Technical High School in Oakland
PROGRAMS
Locations: Cull Canyon and Crown Beach
This year we had 183 participants in our Junior Lifeguard Program This program allows for youth between the ages of 8-12 to participate in hands-on water rescue training, learn first aid skills, and take part in team-building activities Each session lasts one week, and 7 sessions were offered over the course of the summer
This year we had 26 Junior Guard Aides participating in the program. The Junior Lifeguard Aides, ages 13 to 15, assist instructors in program management, demonstrate skills, lead small group activities, and are a resource for the Junior Lifeguards In order to become Junior Guard Aides, participants must pass a swim test as well as go through an interview process
This summer, 21 Junior Cadets participated in the program, which included field trips to Lake Del Valle and Crown Beach. The program is designed to prepare participants to apply for a lifeguard position with us when they are eligible and to set them up for success for our Lifeguard Academy Junior Cadets also get the opportunity to participate in morning training sessions with current lifeguard services staff
Location: Don Castro
Locations: Don Castro
This year we had 146 8–12-year-old participants in our Aquatic Adventure Camp Our camp’s duration increased from 4 to 6 weeks this season This program introduces kids to various aspects of water safety while they participate in a daily swim lesson, On Fridays participants were taken on a field trip to Lake Del Valle to finish the week off strong Over the course of this program we provided a total of 876 swim lessons
This year we had 404 participants in the second year of our Bay Adventure Camp. This program is designed for youth between the ages of 8-12 and introduces kids without a swimming background to a multitude of water activities. We ran 7 weeks of programming and had a 41% increase in participation over last summer. Our increased numbers were likely due to partnerships with neighboring agencies.
Locations: Del Valle East Beach, Del Valle West Beach, and Shadow Cliffs
This year we had 405 participants in our free Vamos a Aprender (Let’s Learn) program We successfully relaunched the program at Shadow Cliffs Ath the end of the program participants get to keep a brand-new lifejacket and are encouraged to wear it any time they’re in, on, or around the water
Location: Crown Beach
Locations: Ambrose Aquatic Center and Roberts Pool
This year we had 418 swim lesson participants in our Swim Lesson program at Roberts Pool, and 213 participants at Ambrose Pool This summer, we also began offering a fitness swim program at Roberts Pool This was for people interested in either swimming one of our set workouts or following their own plan A lifeguard was also on deck to provide feedback or guidance This program had 64 participants
Locations: Don Castro and Cull Canyon
In its second year, the free swim lesson pilot program served 612 participants There is no age minimum or maximum and all are encouraged to seek help with their swimming ability during this free daily 30-minute swim lesson Lifeguards recruit particpants throughout the day leading up to the lesson
Locations: Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools
In our second year offering the Swim & Adventure Camp, we saw continued growth in skill and enthusiasm from campers. This four-week program took place at both Antioch and Deer Valley High Schools and focused on building comfort and confidence in the water through fun water activities, boating, games, and a daily swim lesson component
TRAINING
IN-SERVICE
Lifeguards at each facility are required to train each morning during the season Morning trainings consist of a distance swim, a primary training topic, and a secondary topic Lifeguard recorded a total of 3,600 training hours over the season
RescueReadiness-Lifeguardstraintoidentifythevictim,maketheappropriaterescue,extricatethe victimfromthewaterandprovidepatientcarewhichcouldincluderescuebreathing,CPR,useofan AED,andadministrationofemergencyoxygenwithin90seconds
PreventionDuties-Thesearelifeguardactionsthatpreventanaquaticemergencyfromoccurring Thesedutiesareperformedbothwhilethelifeguardisonandoffthesurveillancetower In-towerduties includepreventativecallstothepublic,searchingforpatronbehaviorsoractivitiesthatmayleadtoa drowningincident Off-towerduties/assignmentsincludeswimtests,assistinginsizingandloaninglife jacketstothepublic,watersafetytalks,childsupervisioneducation,returningfoundchildrentotheir families,offeringsdailyswimlessons,andfirstaidadministration
FullSimulations-Scenariosthattestlifeguardsintheirrapidresponse,rescuereadiness,teamwater searchandrescue,teamextricationandpatientmedicalcare
PolicyandProcedureCompliance-Jobrequiredtrainingthatallowstheemployeetoperformthe dutiesoflifeguard.
IN-HOUSE
Our seasonal lifeguards participate in various in-house training programs provided by EBRPD and Lifeguard Services to ensure they meet the highest standards of safety and professionalism. These trainings fall into three categories:
Required EBRPD Employee Trainings
These cover essential workplace policies, safety procedures, and organizational expectations
Complete YourTimecard
Protection from Wildfire Smoke with SOP
CybersecurityAwareness
SedgwickWorkers Compensation 101
Job Specific Required Trainings
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Mandated Reporter
Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
Workplace Violence Prevention
These certifications, provided by EBRPD Lifeguard Services, are required for job performance and must be renewed every two years to ensure continued compliance and skill proficiency
First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22)
Lifeguarding
Waterfront Skills
Professional Development Trainings
Adult, Child Infant First Aid/CPR/AED
Administering Emergency Oxygen
For those looking to advance within Lifeguard Services, we offer additional trainings that enhance professional skills and provide opportunities for promotion While not required, these trainings support career growth and leadership development
Emergency Medical Responder
Lifeguard Instructor
Personal Rescue Watercraft Operator
MULTI-AGENCY
m
Lifeguard staff at Shadow Cliffs ran a fullsimulation training with LPFD and EBRPD Park Staff on June 12. This training scenario focused on a missing person last seen in the water Trainings like this helps everyone understand their role during an emergency
RECRUITMENT
STRATEGICPLAN
In 2024, we focused our recruitment efforts in a few different areas. We recruited students with a swimming and water polo backgrounds by attending practices and meets. We also recruited students with leadership or medical education paths by being present at high schools throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. We attended and promoted our job opportunities at various schools during lunch and job fairs on campus and these were followed up with additional visits so students and future employees could get to know staff and learn what Lifeguard Services is all about.
SOCIALMEDIA
Our strategy focused on delivering 14 weeks of content to highlight the lifeguarding experience We featured hiring prerequisite skills, our facilities, morning training sessions, and the Lifeguard Academy. The content was varied, branded, and cohesive, creating a seamless narrative that increased brand awareness and created excitement. By also encouraging our current lifeguards to share the content on their own social media, we amplified our reach and strengthened our presence within the community, making our recruitment both engaging and effective.
GranadaHighSwimMeet
LIFEGUARDACADEMIES
New lifeguard candidates who pass our swim/physical test and interview process are invited to become Lifeguard Cadets and go through 10 days of paid training at our Lifeguard Academy. Training sites included the Richard C Trudeau Training Center, Cull Canyon, Roberts Pool, Shadow Cliffs, and Crown Beach Successful completion of the Lifeguard Academy also includes a minimum of 2 additional days of on-site training Lifeguard Cadets receive several certifications when training is complete, such as Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, Waterfront, First Aid for Public Safety Personnel, and Emergency Oxygen. Last year, a cadet graduation was held at the Alameda County Office of Emergency Services in Dublin, CA where new lifeguards, families, and co-workers could celebrate Lifeguard Services also held a second Lifeguard Academy in June to accommodate the ongoing staffing needs at our swim facilities
Academy has pushed me to the edge of my comfort zone in multiple areas at once. Trying to meet new people, master new skills, learn the most in lecture has been difficult to do all at once but the teamwork between all the cadets has helped me succeed
-LIFEGUARDPALMER
It’s challenging using the knowledge we learn in the classroom, remembering it, and applying it to our physical training exercises I’ve been overcoming this by studying and utilizing my team of fellow cadets.
-LIFEGUARDARAKAWA
COMMUNITY
On April 11, Lifeguard Services attended the Head Start Day Celebration and Community Resource Fair at Fairyland in Oakland. More than 700 children and their families enjoyed a free day in the park and engaged in arts and crafts, interactive workshops, multicultural performances, and activities geared toward increasing children’s literacy
On May 11, Lifeguard Services celebrated the Park District’s 90th Anniversary at the Lake Chabot Park Fest, a free community celebration that included music, live performances, a kids' zone, food trucks, and eco-friendly activities
On May 23, we partnered with the Arunay Foundation to give a water safety presentation to 250 students at St Edwards School in Newark to spread awareness about the importance of water and beach safety and the role of a lifeguard.
On July 13 Lifeguard Services attended the 10th Annual Safe Kids Day at the Oakland Arena. This event saw nearly 1,000 in attendance. The child and family event focused on injury prevention and health education We provided an informational booth for water safety and advertised our summer program offerings
On June 22, Lifeguard Services provided a water safety booth at Lafayette’s Police Department Public Safety Day at Lafayette Reservoir. This event allowed the public an opportunity to see some of the tools and equipment that first responders use to keep everyone safe.
ENGAGEMENT
On August 6, Lifeguard Services attended the Park District’s second annual National Night Out event. This was an exciting evening of community bonding and fun at Lake Chabot! Parkgoers came together to celebrate and strengthen our community ties
On September 26, Lifeguard Services gave a water safety of Fremont. The talk dren and their n, in, or around the
On October 5, Lifeguard Services had an information booth on water safety at the Harvest Festival hosted by the city of Emeryville. This event was a celebration of the unity and diversity that make our community truly exceptional.
tended the Arunay es Regional Recreation Area. We were able to educate roughly 400 participants about beach safety, drowning prevention, and the role of a lifeguard.
On December 7, Lifeguard Services attended the City of Livermore’s Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade Lifeguards rode on two of our personal rescue watercrafts decorated for the holidays
CONTINUEDEFFORTS
LIFEGUARDRETENTION
The Red Can Report, our internal newsletter,
ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS
Lifeguard Services continues to collaborate with Human Resources and the Risk Department to provide CPR/First Aid classes year-round for non-public safety personnel, while offering specialized training to Police and Fire to meet POST and CA Title 22 requirements. At this year’s Health and Safety Fair, Lifeguard Services hosted an educational station on rescue throw bags. Additionally, permanent staff were recognized for their contributions to this year's Safety Academy where they gave presentations on Bloodborne Pathogens, Rescue Throw bags, and inspections for AED’s and Eye Wash stations
FUTUREOUTLOOK
BUILDINGMOMENTUM PROGRESSREPORT
Learning CPR is one of the pillars of the United States National Water Safety Action Plan, the California Water Safety Coalition, as well as the American Red Cross. Lifeguard Services has built its partnerships with local schools to train high school students to become Student CPR instructors and middle school 8th graders to become Hands-only CPR presenters. With the support from EBRPD Public Safety Division, these student instructors will train their peers to save a life This is just one of the ways that Lifeguard Services continues engaging the community in water safety and drowning prevention.
This summer, we gathered visitor feedback on our lifeguard services. While responses were limited, the feedback we received was largely positive, highlighting our team's dedication and effectiveness. Moving forward, we plan to explore creative ways to increase participation in the survey We will do this by either making the survey more visible or offering new, convenient ways for visitors to share their thoughts. Getting feedback from more of our community will help us to continue improve and ensure we are providing the best service possible.
SKYSUPPORT
In December 2024, Lifeguard Services began an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) program to provide land and water search and rescue capabilities. Using our UAS, Seal 1, we’re able to support Lifeguard Services, Police, and the Fire dept during land and marine based emergencies Our current UAS has integrated high definition and thermal cameras as well as two deployable rescue floatation devices that can be dropped independently to distressed swimmers.
