Lifeguard Tryouts for SoWal

[Smiling JOe]

You're right...it was an arbitrary number...but I like your challenge. Let me look at it and get back to you. In the meantime, do you have a wage in mind, or are you planning on sticking to the $6.40 per hour as a living wage for the area?

Perhaps this should be on a serious thread in the general section. I would like to hear some thoughts on this subject. By the way, minimum wage does not equal living wage most everywhere in the USA.

 

[tylerT]

You guys be serious!

 

[SHELLY]

Perhaps this should be on a serious thread in the general section. I would like to hear some thoughts on this subject. By the way, minimum wage does not equal living wage most everywhere in the USA.

Minimum wage NEVER is equal to a living wage ANYWHERE in the USA. But when the employer insists on a 39 1/2 hour work week (to avoid benefits) that's essentially what it's become.

I personally think the commute for low-wage employees back and forth to SoWal from "affordable" areas accounts for at least 2 hours of unpaid work per day. So at $12.50 ph for 8 hours in SoWal would be $100 per day which (if you add on the 2-hour commute) would come out to $10 per hour. Considering the additional cost of gas, wear & tear on the car, a jacked-up car insurance bill and commuting headaches...is it any wonder some would prefer just to roll out of bed and put in their 10 hours for 4-days at the DeFuniak Tastee-Freeze for a couple bucks less and getting another local part-time job to make up the couple bucks difference on the 5th day?

Just think--these poor souls have to work 1 1/2 hours to buy a fish sandwich off the bar menu at Cafe 30A (just as an example). Someone is making the money at the businesses in the area....employers are going to have to start narrowing their profit margins (or raising their prices) to pay their workers more (and yes, that may mean paying a living wage) or they will find it difficult to staff their establishments when the customers with money come rolling in the door.

The cheap labor who used to live in the surrounding communities have been pushed out of the area to make way for upscale development--now they want them to make a long commute back down in heavy, dangerous traffic for low wages? I don't think so.

 

[beachmouse]

Wow, I lifeguarded for years during summer breaks in high school/college and we only got paid minimum wage.

Will the test require prospective guards to run in slow motion down the beach, blond hair-a-flying ala Baywatch?

When I lifeguarded in the 'hood, the minimum wage was $4.25/hour, and the city paid us $6/hour ($6.25 when we were teaching lessons) Yeah, we used to have to sometimes tell people they couldn't smoke pot on the pool deck, and I once had an eight year old threaten another kid with a knife, but for the most part, our patrons were very nice kids. And those that weren't nice kids were still nice to the pool staff because we could get them kicked out of the park for the summer if they gave us too much lip.

 

[Uncle Timmy]

You're right...it was an arbitrary number...but I like your challenge. Let me look at it and get back to you. In the meantime, do you have a wage in mind, or are you planning on sticking to the $6.40 per hour as a living wage for the area?

Let's not confuse minimum wage with living wage. And no, I wasn't advocating for any rate, it was a challenge in the true spirit of formulating a reasonable rate that could be used by employers/employees.

SJ, you are right -I'll start a new thread.

 

[ktschris]

do you have to pay for your own background check, or does the county do it free? what? no background check? and you trust them to watch your kids?

I don't think they are suppose to be babysitters. I'm sure the county is assuming parents will still be watching their own kids. But in todays world, who know.

 

[montana]

back in the day in Cali...we were making $12+ an hour...but we had to be EMT cert. and the work was mainly being a cop! Year round, so I bet you will see college kids mostly treating it as intern time! and No......when they think there is a guard on duty....babysitter does come to mind!

 

[aquaticbiology]

I don't think they are suppose to be babysitters. I'm sure the county is assuming parents will still be watching their own kids. But in todays world, who know.

what if it was a pedophile(?) that applied, how would the hirer's know? OMG, this job is really 'county', does that mean they can't be fired? I'm surprised the county didn't do the redirection game and hire a firm to hire, equip, train and employ the lifeguards, that way if anything goes wrong they can just re-bid the job and with that big stick they keep better control. also gets any lawsuits off the county's back if somebody does drown. just my 2cents.

 

[Smiling JOe]

what if it was a pedophile(?) that applied, how would the hirer's know? OMG, this job is really 'county', does that mean they can't be fired? I'm surprised the county didn't do the redirection game and hire a firm to hire, equip, train and employ the lifeguards, that way if anything goes wrong they can just re-bid the job and with that big stick they keep better control. also gets any lawsuits off the county's back if somebody does drown. just my 2cents.

I think the liability would still be there on the County's part. You are correct that the County would have someone to point fingers toward, but they are still ultimately "responsible."

Firing a lifeguard working for the Fire Dpt is much different and easier than voting Roe out of office or firing a "puppet" working for the County.

There was a bid by someone outside of the County, but from what I heard, they did not even bid based on the guidelines which they were instructed to do. For that matter, nor did the Sheriff's Dept). The Fire Dpt's was the only bid that matched the criteria described.

 

[SoWalSally]

Lifeguard trainees will be swimming in the chilly Gulf waters at Ed Walline Beach Access next week.
?It?ll take your breath away,? South Walton Fire District Deputy Chief Sean Hughes said about Gulf water temperatures, which have been hovering around 60 degrees.
?They?ll be in there for hours,? he said gleefully.
Potential lifeguards are training to be stationed on South Walton beaches by March 11.
For the past few weeks, SWFD has been holding tryouts for the burgeoning lifeguard program. Out of 27 applicants, approximately 21 will be attending lifeguard academy March 6 to 10, Hughes said.
?We?ll take a look throughout the course to see if they?ll fit,? Hughes said.
Based on the 400-page United States Lifesaving Association manual, trainees will learn beach management, observation techniques and dynamics of a drowning.
?A trained lifeguard sometimes knows before a (victim) even knows they?re in distress,? Hughes said.
The academy is just the beginning of their training. Those who complete their training will continue to have practice throughout the week, Hughes explained.
The South Walton Fire District was awarded the contract to provide South Walton beaches with lifeguards on Jan. 24 by the Board County Commission ers. The county?s intention is to have lifeguards on area beaches in time for spring break.
?It?s been a mad dash here,? Hughes said.