VIDEO: After eight fatal drownings so far this year in Collier County, North Collier Fire Rescue is training 50 of its firefighters to also serve as lifeguards. The department is cross-training firefighter EMTs and paramedics to work poolside during the countyโs busy summer months. They’ll help staff the waterparks at North Collier Regional and Corkscrew Regional parks, where lifeguard shortages have become a growing issue, according to District staff. โThe pools were struggling to find lifeguards. We’ve got a cadre of very well-trained firefighter paramedics, EMTs โ rescue is what they do for a living,โ said Jorge Aguilera, the deputy chief of North Collier Fire. Firefighters volunteered for the additional responsibility and will be paid for the extra hours.
