Lifeguards, who have worked for the city this summer, were celebrated Tuesday during the Jasper City Council meeting.
The meeting fell one day after National Lifeguard Appreciation Day on July 31.
Stacy Smothers, aquatics director and Memorial Park Natatorium director, said the city had 29 lifeguards this summer, the most it has had in several years.
“That’s more than we’ve had the last four years combined. Having such a large group of dedicated lifeguards has helped us to be able to do so much more and be open more this summer,” Smothers said. “They have all done a great job. I wanted them to come today so they could be recognized for the outstanding work they’ve done.”
Smothers said 11 of the lifeguards have rescued or assisted in rescuing someone this summer, ensuring safety at the pool.
When talking about the life-saving measures, Smothers brought up an incentive program started this year for the lifeguard team. Each lifeguard has a lanyard for his or her whistle. Throughout the summer, the lifeguards were rewarded with beads for their lanyards.
Each color bead represents a certain action, such as red beads being given to those who performed la rescue. The other colors included tangerine (taking initiative), royal blue (administered first aid), denim (volunteered to help), light blue (outstanding guest service), olive (professional attitude), green (no missed punches in a week clocking in or out), yellow (above and beyond), magenta (fun and energetic), purple (rule enforcement), pink (received compliment from a patron), tan (alert and ready), light brown (garbage pickup), dark brown (cleaned up an ARF), white (diaper enforcer), grey (follows directions), black (whistler), metallic blue (lightbulb award for creative idea), metallic purple (covers extra shifts), metallic green (weekly staff choice), metallic magenta (fitness award), silver (manager choice) and gold (manager choice).
Jasper Mayor David O’Mary said many cities are struggling with lifeguard shortages this year.
“I just read where Birmingham is having a real problem with a shortage of lifeguards, and no one knows how that feels more than Stacy, but I commend her for recruiting these folks and working with them,” O’Mary said.
Smothers also recognized Sade Walker-Williams, assistant manager at the Natatorium for the past 14 years.
“We could not do things without her,” Smothers said. “She is there day to day, keeping the lifeguards where they are supposed to be and keeping them on task. We really appreciate her being around.”
