As a parent in Florida, I want to be able to take my children to the beach or the pool knowing they’ll be safe.

But right now, that’s not something I can count on.

Across the state—from Miami to Central Florida—lifeguard shortages are putting kids at risk.

In Eustis, the city pool’s opening was delayed by over a month because they couldn’t hire enough certified lifeguards.

Many municipalities in South Florida are struggling to fill lifeguard positions. The shortage is causing some cities to modify their pool operating hours.

At Florida’s beaches, long stretches of shoreline are left unguarded. As summer temperatures rise, our public spaces are getting more crowded—and less safe.

This isn’t just an inconvenience. Drownings are one of the leading causes of death for children in Florida. Without trained lifeguards in place, we’re gambling with lives.

We’re calling on Governor Ron DeSantis and local officials to take immediate action allocate state funding to support lifeguard recruitment and training, create new incentives, raise wages to compete with other summer jobs.

Partner with schools and community pools to create local pipelines for young recruits.
Ensure every public pool and beach post is fully staffed—especially during peak season.
 
Families are doing their part—watching closely, teaching water safety, staying cautious. But we can’t replace the training and quick response of a certified lifeguard.