Buffalo, NY – Officials from the City of Buffalo Division of Parks and Recreation, as well as the Police Athletic
League of Buffalo, issued a reminder today to City youth that a new round of lifeguard training sessions is
scheduled to begin a week from Saturday and encouraged City youth to sign up as soon as possible. The
January session is scheduled to begin the weekend of January 13th and will continue on weekends for another
two weeks at the Cazenovia Park Pool, located at 626 Abbott Road.

“We want all families in Buffalo to enjoy our pools, take swimming lessons, and have a fun way to keep cool this
summer,” said Mayor Brown. “In order for this to happen, we have to have enough lifeguards to ensure children
are safe in and near the water. With a competitive pay rate for lifeguards, we hope to encourage City youth to
take the free training to become a qualified lifeguard and join the City of Buffalo Lifeguard Team.”

Because of the need for more summer lifeguards in Buffalo, Mayor Byron W. Brown and the City of Buffalo
increased the wage last year to $20 an hour, up from the $15.50 to $17.50 range in previous years.

The upcoming training courses are free for City of Buffalo youth, who will receive a hiring stipend of $525 when
they become certified and join the City’s Lifeguard Team for the entire summer. The sessions are scheduled to
take place on the following dates at the Cazenovia Park Pool, located at 626 Abbott Road. All sessions run from
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Make $20 an hour as a Summer Lifeguard!

Session #1/January Weekends
Saturday & Sunday, January 13 & 14 Saturday & Sunday, January 20 & 21 Saturday & Sunday, January 27 & 28
Session #2/March Weekends
Saturday & Sunday, March 2 & 3 Saturday & Sunday, March 9 & 10 Saturday & Sunday, March 16 & 17
After a yearlong multi-faceted lifeguard recruiting process that began in 2022, Centennial Pool, Kensington
Pool, and Riverside Pool were able to open last summer after the City successfully recruited 73 lifeguards.

A hiring stipend of $525 will be given to City youth who become certified AND join the City’s Lifeguard Ranks for the entire summer!
CONTACT: Lorey Schultz 716 851 5545 / lschultz@buffalony.gov MAYOR BYRON W. BROWN
Buffalo’s outdoor pools had been closed for three summers due to a lifeguard shortage that was impacting cities across the country. Eligibility requirements for lifeguard trainees are as follows:

• Youth who CAN already swim with proficiency.
• Youth who are at least 16 years old.
• Preference given to youth who reside in the City of Buffalo and attend a Buffalo Public School.
• The cost of the program is free to City of Buffalo residents; $250 for those living outside the City limits; $75
for re-certification.

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Youth who are interested in participating in the January or March training sessions, or those interested in
being a Red Cross Certified Lifeguard Instructor, should visit www.buffalopal.com to register and get additional
information on the certification course. Those who hold Red Cross lifeguard certification can apply to be a
lifeguard on the City’s website: www.buffalony.gov/jobs.aspx.