Warner Robins recreation director proposing lifeguard pay increase

Warner Robins recreation leaders say higher wages could help recruit lifeguards and keep city pools open.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Lifeguard pay is increasing significantly across the United States, driven by a severe staffing shortage that has forced several cities to increase those wages. Recreation director Preston Pooser who is pushing for that increase in Warner Robins.

Pooser says he started this petition last year but wasn’t in the right position. He says his concern sparked due to a shortage of help.

“Our current lifeguards, we didn’t have enough to be open every day,” he said. “We only had six lifeguards. So, we were hit or miss on scheduling last year. We were able to open most of the time but missed a few days. And we need to be able to be open and possibly expand the hours this year.”

Pooser, who says he wants to increase pay from $15 an hour to $20 an hour, says hiring was slow last year, and he believes it’s because young adults can find jobs that pay much more, such as fast food. 

“I always look at lifeguards as our first, first responder,” he said. “So, I always like to pay my lifeguards a little bit more, because they’re that first person on scene when there is an issue at the pool.”

He believes if you want good workers, you have to pay good money. 

“The lifeguard’s job is to actually prevent accidents before they happen,” he said. “So, we’ve got an outstanding crew. We just want to supplement that crew and get more lifeguards in place to help them out so we can stay open.”

Pooser says he will be going to city council to request the increase in the next few weeks.