LACFD
With nearly 800 team members in the Department’s Lifeguard Division, lifeguards are responsible for protecting 72 miles of coastline, including 31 miles of sandy beaches and Catalina Island.
Los Angeles County Lifeguards is a division of the
Los Angeles County Fire Department. The
lifeguard operations safeguard 31 miles (50 km) of beach and 72 miles (116 km) of coastline, from
San Pedro in the south, to
Malibu in the north. The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service served as the model for the hit television series
Baywatch which was created by recurrent lifeguard
Gregory J. Bonann.
Lifeguards also provide marine firefighting, paramedic, and fire boat services to
Catalina Island, with operations out of
Avalon and the Isthmus. Other daily fire boat services operate out of Los Angeles Harbor (Baywatch Cabrillo), King Harbor (Baywatch Redondo), Marina Del Rey (Baywatch Del Rey and Baywatch Santa Monica) and Malibu Pier (Baywatch Malibu).
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division is the largest professional lifeguard service in the world. Entering the year 2018, the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service employs 177 year-round lifeguards (chiefs, captains and ocean lifeguard specialists) and over 650 seasonal lifeguards (recurrents). Operating out of four Sectional Headquarters, located in Hermosa, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey and Zuma beach. Each of these headquarters staffs a 24-hour response unit, and are part of the 911 system.
In addition to providing marine firefighting, LA County Lifeguards have specialized training for fire boat operations.
Prior to July 1, 1994, Los Angeles County Lifeguards were part of the Department of Beaches and Harbors.
en.wikipedia.org
LACFD Qualifications
OCEAN LIFEGUARD** STARTING PAY: $24.91/hour*
REQUIREMENTS* • Valid CA Class C Driver License at the time of appointment • Positions assigned to this class must successfully complete the annual swim recertification program by swimming a minimum of 500 meters in the ocean within thirteen minutes • Proof of graduation from high school or equivalent • Valid Basic Life Support Provider Certificate (earned upon completion of the Lifeguard Training Academy) • Valid Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard Training Academy Certificate (earned upon completion of the Lifeguard Training Academy)
BENEFITS • Medical coverage (if criteria met), pension plan at the time of appointment, vacation and holiday pay and sick leave after completion of 1600 hours • Future promotional opportunities such as Ocean Lifeguard Specialist; Captain, Lifeguard Services; and Rescue Boat Captain
Top Paid LA Lifeguards Earned Up To $392,000 In 2019
Seven lifeguards made more than $300,000 and 82 lifeguards had total earnings that exceed $200,000 in 2019, the latest year available.
www.forbes.com
