City Earns United States Lifesaving Association Certification

The Evanston Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department are proud to announce that the City has earned certification from the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), the nation’s leading organization dedicated to open-water lifesaving and beach safety.

This certification recognizes Evanston’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in lifeguard training, emergency response, public safety, and professional beach operations. Through a comprehensive review process, the City demonstrated compliance with nationally recognized safety best practices for open-water environments.

“This certification reflects the dedication, professionalism, and hard work of our lakefront staff and leadership teams,” said Sean Malloy, Field Chief of Special Operations for the Evanston Fire Department. “The safety of our residents and visitors is our highest priority, and earning USLA certification reinforces our commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience at Evanston’s beaches.”

The USLA certification process evaluates multiple aspects of a beach safety program, including lifeguard recruitment, training standards, rescue procedures, emergency action plans, equipment readiness, and lakefront operational practices. Evanston’s lakefront includes five guarded swimming beaches along Lake Michigan that welcome approximately 175,000 visitors between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as a dog beach and both motorized and non-motorized boat launches. Lifeguards and Aquatic Camp counselors complete extensive training in open-water rescue techniques, first aid, CPR, AED operation, emergency response procedures, and motorboat operations.

A key component of the certification process was the ongoing partnership between the Evanston Fire Department and the Parks and Recreation Department. Together, the departments collaborate on training, beach operations, and public safety initiatives that help protect residents and visitors along Evanston’s shoreline.

“Earning this certification highlights the strong collaboration between departments and our shared commitment to water safety,” said Tim Carter, Lakefront and Athletics Manager. “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment, and it is an honor that the City of Evanston is the only agency in Illinois to earn this certification.”

For more information, please visit the cityofevanston.org/beaches or contact Evanston 311 at 847-448-4311.