Lifeguard Shortage in Anchorage Raises Safety Concerns at Local Lakes | Homepage [Video]

Swimming at lakes in Anchorage may be more worrisome this summer for parents as the shortage of employees with the municipality of Anchorage continues to grow and is now affecting the safety of those who choose to get in the water.

With only 12 lifeguards on staff for Anchorage indoor pools. It leaves places like Goose Lake without a lifeguard.

“Levels of lifeguarding or the overall number of employees we have in that field are decreasing. We’re put in a position where we had to choose, are we going to staff one or the other? And if we didn’t staff the pools, we would have to close the pools,” said Mike Braniff, Director of Anchorage Parks and Recreation. 

Anchorage Parks and Rec decided to put up signs. Swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are a difficult go to fill in Anchorage with a starting wage of $16 an hour. Qualified …