Atlantic City's beach patrol is scrambling to fill 30 lifeguard positions, the first time in two years there's been a shortage of personnel, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

About 130 lifeguards covered the resort's more than three miles of beaches last year, but a number of factors have led to the shortage, including veteran guards who declined to return this summer.

In the report by the Press of Atlantic City, Steve Downey, the chief of the beach patrol, said they received only about 100 interested responses after sending out 150 applications.

Atlantic City plans to hold its first lifeguard tryouts in three years to fill the shortage of lifeguards, June 12 at the South Carolina Avenue beach. Candidates will perform a 500-meter ocean swim, a surf dash and other tests as part of the tryout.

The city hopes to have the additional guards on duty in time for the July 4th holiday.

The beach patrol made 1,123 rescues last year and handled 400 lost-children calls, Downey told The Press.

 

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