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Evanston Lifeguards: Trained Public Safety Professionals Ready When Seconds Matter

The City is spotlighting the training, structure, and professionalism behind its lifeguard program, underscoring that every guard stationed along the city's beaches operates as a trained public safety professional under the Evanston Fire Department (EFD).

Always Ready. Always Watching. Always Prepared.

This guiding mission drives every shift and every rotation for Evanston lifeguards, whether they are scanning the waterfront, teaching safety rules, assisting patrons, or executing complex water rescues.

Rigorous Training Exceeds National Standards

Before ever taking a position on the sand, each Evanston lifeguard completes a two-week Lifeguard Academy and earns the American Red Cross Open Water Lifeguard certification, in addition to certifications in CPR/AED, First Aid, and Responding to Emergencies. These credentials exceed national requirements and meet United States Lifesaving Association standards for open-water lifeguarding, including mandatory swim performance testing, CPR proficiency, medical aid certification, and more than 40 hours of dedicated open-water rescue training.

Once the season begins, every shift opens with roll call and daily in-service training covering physical conditioning, emergency action plans, medical response procedures, and communication drills. Beach Managers and Supervisors provide additional beach-specific instruction on rescue scenarios, vessel distress response, missing-child procedures, and shoreline operations, while lifeguards continue their development through ongoing EFD training modules.

A Shift Structure Built Around Awareness

Evanston lifeguards work six-hour shifts designed to sustain peak awareness, rotating observation positions throughout the day to reduce fatigue and maintain continuous vigilance. Staffing levels along the shoreline are adjusted based on the number of beachgoers and swimmers present, weather and lake conditions, and scheduled school camps or youth programs, ensuring coverage always matches real-time risk.

A Coordinated Emergency Response

When a guard spots a swimmer in distress, the response begins instantly with a whistle. The responding guard enters the water with rescue equipment while another immediately takes over the chair to maintain surveillance and clear the surrounding area. A second rescuer may join with a rescue board or tube, another guard directs arriving Fire and EMS crews to the exact location, and a further guard responds with medical equipment to begin treatment without delay. Beach Managers maintain active communication with the Evanston Fire Department and Evanston Police Department Dispatch throughout, coordinating with incoming fire crews and rescue vessels in real time.

This system reflects the lifeguards' role as a fully integrated part of EFD's emergency-response structure.

A Transparent Path to Leadership

The City has also established a structured, merit-based promotional process for lifeguards advancing into leadership roles, such as Beach Manager and Supervisor, mirroring the objective systems used throughout the fire service. Candidates are evaluated on three fronts:

  • Seniority, recognizing experience, operational knowledge, and sustained commitment to public safety.

  • A written exam, based on the City's Lakefront Operations Manual, covering emergency-response protocols, water-rescue procedures, medical-response guidelines, radio and dispatch operations, and conflict-resolution standards.

  • An oral assessment, modeled after fire-service oral boards, evaluates communication, calm decision-making under pressure, professionalism, and conflict resolution.

This process ensures that every lifeguard leader has earned their position through demonstrated skill, preparedness, and dedication, reflecting the City and Fire Department's shared commitment to safety and professionalism.

Lifesaving Association Certification

In June, the City earned certification from the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), the nation's leading authority on open-water lifesaving and beach safety.

The certification recognizes Evanston's commitment to the highest standards in lifeguard training, emergency response, and beach operations, following a comprehensive review confirming compliance with nationally recognized safety best practices.

For more information, call/text 847-448-4311. For convenience, community members may simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.